Cristian Săpunaru (41 years old), one of Rapid's legendary players, withdrew this evening from football, right in front of their own fans, At the match with CFR Cluj, lost 1-4, in the 9th stage of the Superligii play-off. Săpunaru was titled by Marius Șumudică at the last match in his career, he also received the captain's banner and had a special moment in the 22nd minute, symbolic, 22 being the number with which he evolved at Rapid. In the 50th minute it was changed.
Săpunaru played his last minutes on Monday evening and at the same time the first of this calendar year. In front of the Giulesti fans, “soap” was rewarded with several special set designs, the fans treat it properly on one of the most devoted players in the club history.
Photo. Cristian Săpunaru withdrew from football
UPDATE »The lights were extinguished in Giulești
The lights were extinguished in Giulești, about five minutes after the party ended. “It's hard to speak at this time. I want to thank God, first of all, for all the years in which he kept me healthy and I was able to play football! Family, who supported me throughout my career.” This is how Săpunaru's speech began, before the scandals in the stands interrupt him.
“I want to thank all the coaches who helped me in my career and life, my colleagues, the changing rooms in which I was! Most importantly, thank you, because I left you, from there, among my bishops …”.
He continued to chant from the stands: “Săpunaru, remember! You are good for the president!”. The answer of soap: “We take it from the bottom, we take it from the bottom”
“I do not know if you know, but you are the most special people for me, regardless of the results I had. You have always been with a team to fight at the championship and show that your love is above anything.
The North lawn has chanted in Unison: “Săpunaru, remember! You are good for the president!”, Including the CFR footballers, they remained on the lawn and attended at the moment in the middle of the field. “Săpunaru, do not forget, Giuleștiul is your house!”, The other scandal left from “North” and then taken over by the entire stadium.
Then Săpunaru burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotions. “Thank you for being with me all the time and you helped me to be the man who I am!”, He sent “soap” to his wife. With the microphone in his hand, Săpunaru began to set the tone of the songs, then taken over by the entire stadium: “Since I first came to Giulești, I have fallen in love with a team as in stories.”
At the end of the moment staged by the club, Săpunaru urged the supporters from all over the stadium to pick up the scarves to the sky and sing in the choir the famous song: “I am a fast, I am never sad.” The stadium remained full, no one left after the final whistle. Săpunaru's last words: “Thank you from the heart and I just tell you so much … ready, it's over!”.
On the table, various messages dedicated to Săpunaru began to run from the people close to the “Rapid family”. During the message received from Marius Șumudică, the several hundred supporters from the South Lawn began to whistle the technician. “Shumi, shoi, shoi, leave us, leave us, leave us!”
Subsequently, a message from Cristiano Bergodi began to run on the table, at which point the North lawn began to chant the Italian name. Speeches also came from the authentic speedsmen, Răzvan Lucescu, Daniel Niculae, Ovidiu Herea, but also from a representative of the FC Porto club, where the Romanian wrote history more than 15 years ago.
The figure of the owner Dan Șucu, the last one that appeared on the two tables in the stadium: “Head above!”. With the message of the financier ended the moment dedicated to Săpunaru. “Thank you again! Goodbye, but I stay with you” were the last messages spoken by the captain-symbol in Grant.
The footballers of the Rapid waited for him at “Lip!” the lockers to offer a 39 -year -old “veteran” honor guard.
UPDATE »Săpunaru left the land in the 50th minute
The entire stadium got to his feet in the 50th minute. It was the time when “soap” came out of the stage and received an emotional standing-ovation from over 10,000 spectators. Later, Săpunaru was called to the gallery with “bis”.
The defender went to swear at the rival, gave to return to the bank, then was asked by ultras again. Finally, the idol Giulești climbed into the lawn, where he began to set the tone of the songs, visibly excited.
Standing-Ovation long and exciting in Giulești. Săpunaru was applauded in all the cardinal points of the stadium. From the North Lawn, he directed to the Tribune I, then to the other lawn. It was a stadium tour with nostalgic accents for those who loved and had the model of the former UEFA Cup winner. The emotion was tangible, Săpunaru repeatedly led his hands to his eyes.
Special set designs for Săpunaru's withdrawal
An ingenious scenography at the North Lawn was prepared in the 22nd minute. What did the North Lawn call? A locomotive advancing agal in front of the lawn, part of the show prepared by ultras. While the match continued, from the amplification station he symbolically ran the voice of the train wheels, and then a railway. At the second stand, the supporters again raised the 22nd cards.
The message that accompanied the thematic scenography of those in the North lawn: “The last stop”, while a whole stadium scandered its name. The CFR footballers stopped before the moment of the 22nd minute, but Săpunaru was not changed, as everyone expected. He continued in the field, while the “improvised white-and-white” locomotive “passed through the lawn.
On the locomotive drawn by ultras, there were several elements dedicated to Săpunaru, terminals from the career of the captain so loved by the gallery.
Messages were also displayed in the Second Tribune: “Thank you for the days of glory / Heroes do not leave, they enter history!”. But also another scenography, displayed in the right corner of the Second Tribune: “22, for eternity / remain the captain of the Rapid to death”, along with a multitude of flags with number 22, the number of series in Giulești.
Holidays in Giulești at Săpunaru's withdrawal
Before the first whistle of the meeting on Monday, the fans sang for Săpunaru, captain for the last time. A scenography “raised” to the second lawn of Giulești: “Cristian Săpunaru: The Ultras, The Player, The Legend”, in the center with the number 22, the one carried by the player of the Rapid.
At the same time, a set scenography with several cards was prepared in the second stand, all spectators displaying the number 22.
Giulesti officials have prepared in detail the withdrawal of Săpunaru, from all points of view. Before the match, the fans stormed the club's official store to purchase a T -shirt with Săpunaru.
And in the stadium, several elements were arranged to mark the end of the career of the former captain of the cherries. In Loji, a message was placed with a collage with several photos from Cristi Săpunaru's career. The prepared message is right from the footballer: “I do not consider it like a goodbye, but as a new beginning! Please remain the same supporters of the Rapid as you have always been! Come on, fast!”
Also, the team officials from the Grant Bridge also made another decision on the evening of Săpunaru's withdrawal. Thus, All players from Rapid have evolved against CFR Cluj With special shirts, on the back bearing the name “Săpunaru”. The background of the figures on the shirts contains images from the career of the legendary player.
The festive evening for the withdrawal of Săpunaru will not stop in the 22nd minute. At 22:25, at the end of the match, the club will prepare another special moment for the central defender.
Săpunaru no more evolved for Giulesti in an official match on November 4, 2024, when his Șumudică band defeated Hermannstadt on his own ground, score 1-0.
10 trophiesSăpunaru conquered in his career, including Europa League with Porto (2011). With Rapid he conquered the Cup and the Romanian Super Cup
210 matchesgathered Săpunaru for his soul team, having 16 goals and 4 assists
Until Monday, Săpunaru played 8 games this season for Rapid, but he was integral in 3 of them.
Photo. The wife and daughter of Cristi Săpunaru, present in Giulești
