Editing Gheorghe Hagi (section)

==International career==
===Early years and Euro 1984===
Gheorghe Hagi made his debut for [[Romania national football team|Romania]] on 10 August 1983 at the age of 18, under coach [[Mircea Lucescu]] who used him in all the minutes of a friendly which ended 0–0 against [[Norway national football team|Norway]], played on the [[Ullevaal Stadion|Ullevaal stadium]] from [[Oslo]].<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=GSP6>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/gheorghe-hagi-romania-debut-707496.html| title=Astăzi se împlinesc 40 de ani de la debutul lui Gică Hagi la echipa națională a României: "Mă uit în spate cu mândrie"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Today marks 40 years since Gică Hagi's debut in the Romanian national team: "I look back with pride"| date=10 August 2023| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=EU>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=7599|title=Gheorghe Hagi player profile|publisher=European Football|access-date=23 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=8027|title=Norway 0-0 Romania |publisher=European Football|access-date=23 November 2021}}</ref> After the game, the ''Sportul'' newspaper wrote:"Hagi is the main win of the match with Norway".<ref name=GSP6/>

He was selected by Lucescu to be part of the squad that went at [[UEFA Euro 1984|Euro 1984]] as the team needed a replacement for injured [[Ilie Balaci]].<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP7>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/euro-1984-povestea-primului-turneu-final-pentru-romania-hagi-debut-742508.html| title=Povestea României la primul Euro, din 1984: am lăsat Italia acasă! Fără niciun stelist, cu cel mai tânăr selecţioner pe bancă şi debutul lui Hagi la un turneu final la doar 19 ani| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Romania's story at the first Euro, from 1984: we left Italy at home! Without any Steaua player, with the youngest coach on the bench and Hagi's debut at a final tournament at only 19 years old| date=6 June 2024| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=adevarul>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/euro-1984-romania-intra-pe-marile-bulevarde-ale-1701873.html| title=EURO 1984: România intră "pe marile bulevarde ale fotbalului". 33 de ani de la golul lui Boloni cu Italia, surprizele lui Lucescu pentru EURO| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=ro |trans-title=EURO 1984: Romania enters "the great boulevards of football". 33 years since Boloni's goal against Italy, Lucescu's surprises for the EURO| date=16 April 2016| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> In the first game which was a 1–1 with [[Spain national football team|Spain]] he was sent in the 76th minute in order to replace [[Romulus Gabor]], then in the 2–1 loss with [[West Germany national football team|West Germany]] he was a starter but replaced at half-time with [[Ion Adrian Zare|Ion Zare]] and in the 1–0 loss with [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] he did not play as Romania did not manage to get past the group stage.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP7/><ref name=adevarul/> The 19-year-old Hagi's performance at the final tournament was criticized by Lucescu:"[[Aurel Țicleanu|Țicleanu]] and Hagi failed to make a real contribution after entering. Hagi, especially, isolated himself on the wing, he was not able to make up for the great absence of Balaci".<ref name=GSP7/>

He scored his first international goal against [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] in a 3–2 loss at the [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3|1986 World Cup qualifiers]].<ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref name=GSP6/><ref name=EU/> In the second leg with the Northern Irish he was made captain for the first time, the game ending with another loss which mathematically erased their chances to qualify at the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]].<ref name="icon"/><ref name=GSP6/><ref name=EU/>

===1990 World Cup===
He played six matches and scored once from a penalty in a 3–0 victory against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] at the [[1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|1990 World Cup qualifiers]].<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tikitaka.ro/romania-grecia-3-0-in-preliminariile-pentru-mondialul-din-italia-90-2-noiembrie-1988/| title=România – Grecia 3-0 în preliminariile pentru Mondialul din Italia ’90 – 2 noiembrie 1988| publisher=Tikitaka.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Romania - Greece 3-0 in the preliminaries for the World Cup in Italy '90 - November 2, 1988| date= | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> At the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]], coach [[Emeric Jenei]] could not use him in the first match which was a victory against [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]] as he was suspended for receiving a red card in the last qualifier match with [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/notti-magiche-cum-i-am-batut-pe-sovietici-la-9-iunie-1990-in-primul-meci-de-la-mondiale-dupa-20-de-ani-lacatus-a-ajuns-cosmarul-lui-dasaev-iar-gica-popescu-a-refuzat-real-madrid-19675559| title="Notti magiche" Cum i-am bătut pe sovietici, la 9 iunie 1990, în primul meci de la Mondiale, după 20 de ani. Lăcătuș a ajuns coșmarul lui Dasaev, iar Gică Popescu a refuzat Real Madrid| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=ro |trans-title="Notti magiche" How we beat the Soviets, on June 9, 1990, in the first World Cup match, after 20 years. Lăcătuș became Dasaev's nightmare, and Gică Popescu refused Real Madrid| date=9 June 2023| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> He played in the following two which were a loss with [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] and a draw with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] as Romania got past the group stage, reaching the round of 16 where the journey ended in front of [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] at the penalty shoot-out following a 0–0 draw, with Hagi netting Romania's first spot kick.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/italia-90/oleary-and-bonner-the-heroes-as-ireland-make-history-and-qualify-for-world-cup-quarterfinal-31330109.html |title=O'Leary and Bonner the heroes as Ireland make history and qualify for World Cup quarter-final |work=The Irish Independent |last1=Dunne |first1=Noel |date=25 June 2015 |access-date=5 November 2019 }}</ref>

===1994 World Cup===
Hagi scored five goals at the [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|1994 World Cup qualifiers]], including a brace in a 5–1 home win over [[Wales National Football Team|Wales]].<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP8>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/video-25-de-ani-de-la-victoria-care-ducea-romania-la-cm-1994-2-1-cu-tara-galilor-discurs-genial-al-lui-hagi-la-pauza-alte-9-momente-spectaculoase-553284.html | title=25 de ani de la victoria care ducea România la CM 1994, 2-1 cu Țara Galilor. Discurs genial al lui Hagi la pauză + alte 9 momente spectaculoase| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=25 years since the victory that led Romania to the WC 1994, 2-1 with Wales. Hagi's brilliant speech at halftime + 9 other spectacular moments| date=17 November 2018 | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> In the last group game of the qualifiers, which was also against Wales, he opened the score, the first half ending 1–0.<ref name=GSP8/> Then Hagi, feeling that his teammates were too relaxed, asked coach [[Anghel Iordănescu]] to leave the dressing room and let him talk to them, afterwards he started punching the closet and held a motivational speech.<ref name=GSP8/> The match finished with a 2–1 victory which earned Romania the mathematical qualification to the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]], also this game is considered by Romanian journalists as the birth of Romania's "Golden Generation".<ref name=GSP8/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/qzftvbnt63/when-romania-broke-welsh-hearts | title=When Romania broke Welsh hearts| publisher=Bbc.co.uk| language=en| date= | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>

Hagi captained ''The Tricolours'' at the final tournament, in the first match with [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] he provided the assists for both of [[Florin Răducioiu]]'s goals in the 3–1 win and he defeated goalkeeper [[Óscar Córdoba]] with a spectacular 35-meters [[Chip (association football)|lob]] from the side of the field in which the ball was not spinning in the air.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/video-23-de-ani-de-cand-romania-a-rapus-columbia-1791907.html | title=VIDEO 23 de ani de când România a răpus Columbia la Mondialul din SUA. Cum a reușit Iordănescu să mobilizeze echipa în fața vedetelor sud-americane| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=ro|trans-title=Video 23 years since Romania defeated Colombia at the World Cup in the USA. How Iordănescu managed to mobilize the team in front of the South American stars| date=18 June 2017 | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> After getting past the group stage, they eliminated [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] with a 3–2 score in which Hagi gave an assist to one of [[Ilie Dumitrescu]]'s goals, then scored himself after Dumitrescu returned the favor.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/video-23-de-ani-de-cand-romania-a-rapus-columbia-1791907.html | title=VIDEO 23 de ani de când România a răpus Columbia la Mondialul din SUA. Cum a reușit Iordănescu să mobilizeze echipa în fața vedetelor sud-americane| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=ro |trans-title=VIDEO 23 years since Romania defeated Colombia at the World Cup in the USA. How Iordănescu managed to mobilize the team in front of the South American stars| date=18 June 2017 | access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/26/world-cup-best-game-argentina-romania-usa-94-hagi |title=The best ever World Cup match? Romania 3–2 Argentina at USA 94 |work=The Guardian |last1=McCracken |first1=Craig |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=5 November 2019 }}</ref> In the quarter-finals, Romania faced [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]], the score was 2–2 after [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]], reaching the penalty shoot-out where Hagi netted his shot but two of his teammates missed, while all the Swedes scored, thus the campaign ended.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/ideile-gazetei/romania-suedia-istoria-la-raport-campionatul-mondial-1994-668158.html | title=EPISODUL 7: România - Suedia 2-2, 4-5 la penalty-uri. Mingea a fost a noastră, 45-24 la driblinguri, dar nu ne-a ajutat fizicul: 103-119 la dueluri| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=EPISODE 7: Romania - Sweden 2-2, 4-5 on penalties. The ball was ours, 45-24 on dribbles, but our physicality did not help: 103-119 on duels| date=4 July 2022 | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>

Hagi was named in the Team of the Tournament for his performances.<ref name="94WCAll-Star1"/> His goal with Columbia was listed in 2010 as one of the most beautiful ten goals scored in the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] by the ''[[Agence France-Presse]]'' news agency, then in 2014 ''[[Diario AS]]'' placed it on the third place and ''[[L'Équipe]]'' on the 16th.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://click.ro/actualitate/lobul-lui-hagi-cu-columbia-in-top-10-al-221235.html| title=Lobul lui Hagi cu Columbia, în Top 10 al Mondialelor| publisher=Click.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Hagi's lob with Colombia, in the Top 10 of the World Cup| date=27 May 2010 | access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/golul-lui-hagi-din-meciul-cu-columbia-in-1994-printre-cele-mai-frumoase-din-istoria-cm-galerie-video-6185175| title=Golul lui Hagi din meciul cu Columbia in 1994 printre cele mai frumoase din istoria CM| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Hagi's goal in the match with Colombia in 1994 is among the most beautiful in the history of the World Cup| date=27 May 2010| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.romania-actualitati.ro/stiri/sport/top-goluri-istorice-hagi-printre-cei-mai-tehnici-marcatori-id11433.html| title=Top goluri istorice: Hagi, printre cei mai tehnici marcatori| publisher=Romania-actualitati.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Top historical goals: Hagi, among the most technical scorers| date=27 May 2010| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://ziare.com/cm-2014/stiri-cm-2014/golul-lui-hagi-din-meciul-cu-columbia-in-1994-pe-podiumul-celor-mai-frumoase-goluri-din-istorie-1303300| title=Golul lui Hagi din meciul cu Columbia in 1994, pe podiumul celor mai frumoase goluri din istorie| publisher=Ziare.com| language=ro |trans-title=Hagi's goal in the match with Colombia in 1994, on the podium of the most beautiful goals in history| date=8 June 2014| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/video-omagiu-pentru-hagi-golul-marcat-columbiei-pe-locul-16-in-topul-celor-mai-frumoase-reusite-de-la-cm-115834| title=Omagiu pentru Hagi. Golul marcat Columbiei, pe locul 16 în topul celor mai frumoase reușite de la CM| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Tribute to Hagi. The goal scored by Colombia, on the 16th place in the list of the most beautiful achievements from the WC| date=11 June 2014| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>

===Euro 1996===
At the successful [[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying|Euro 1996 qualifiers]] he played six games and scored two goals in two victories against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]].<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Romaniansoccer.ro|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/national_team/fixtures/fixtures_euro_1996.shtml|title=National team - Qualification for Euro 1996 - Group 1|access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> At the [[UEFA Euro 1996|final tournament]], Iordănescu used him all the minutes in all the games from the group stage but Romania lost all of them in front of [[France national football team|France]], [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] and [[Spain national football team|Spain]].<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/euro-1996-acuzatii-de-blat-generatia-de-aur-retragere-raducioiu-742514.html| title=România la Euro 1996: am început prost, am încheiat în genunchi. Generația de Aur zdruncinată din temelii, acuze de blat și adio pentru Răducioiu| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Romania at Euro 1996: We started badly, we finished on my knees. The Golden Generation shaken from its foundations, accusations of fraud and farewell to Răducioiu| date=9 June 2024 | access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.euronews.ro/articole/cel-mai-valoros-lot-al-romaniei-trimis-la-euro-a-fost-cel-din-1996-generatia-de-a| title=Cel mai valoros lot al României trimis la EURO a fost cel din 1996. Generația de Aur nu s-a ridicat la așteptări| publisher=Euronews.ro| language=ro |trans-title=The most valuable squad of Romania sent to the EURO was that of 1996. The Golden Generation did not live up to expectations| date=17 June 2024 | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>

===1998 World Cup===
At the [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8|1998 World Cup qualifiers]] he made six appearances, scoring three goals with [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]], one with [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]] and a spectacular one in [[Dublin]] with a shot from a 35-meters free kick in a 1–1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.<ref name=sport/><ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/gica-hagi-cel-mai-bun-marcator-din-istoria-nationalei-romaniei-toate-golurile-inscrise-video-21010896| title=Gică Hagi, cel mai bun marcator din istoria naționalei României. Toate golurile înscrise și topul reușitelor. Video| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Gică Hagi, the best scorer in the history of the Romanian national team. All the scored goals and the top of the successes. Video| date=5 February 2025| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.playsport.ro/video-top-10-goluri-reusite-gica-hagi-in-cariera-sa-27255| title=Top 10 goluri reușite de Gică Hagi în cariera sa| publisher=Playsport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Top 10 goals scored by Gică Hagi in his career| date=16 April 2021| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> Hagi was used as captain by Iordănescu in all four games at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]] as in the group stage they earned victories in the first two rounds with Colombia and [[England national football team|England]], thus mathematically being qualified before the last group match with [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]] where in order to celebrate, they all dyed their hair blonde and presented themselves like that at the game.<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/prosport-va-prezinta-povestea-adevarata-a-generatiei-de-aur-vopsite-in-galben-6328771| title=ProSport vă prezintă povestea adevărată a "Generației de Aur" vopsite în galben!| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=ProSport presents the true story of the "Golden Generation" painted in yellow!| date=8 June 2010| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/true-story/cu-totii-in-galben-ultima-nationala-care-i-a-scos-in-strada-pe-romani-generalul-si-puii-de-gaina-care.html| title=Cu totii in GALBEN! Ultima nationala care i-a scos in strada pe romani! Generalul si puii de gaina care au dus Romania la ultimul mondial!| publisher=Sport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=All in YELLOW! The last national team that brought the Romanians to the streets! The general and the chicklings that took Romania to the last world cup!| date=18 October 2013| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/echipa-nationala/generatia-cu-parul-de-aur-imagini-in-premiera-cu-momentele-in-care-s-au-vopsit-tricolorii-in-1998-266944| title=Generația (cu părul) de Aur. Imagini în premieră cu momentele în care s-au vopsit tricolorii, în 1998| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=The (hairy) Golden Generation. Premiere images of the moments when the tricolors were painted, in 1998| date=9 January 2017| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> They were defeated with 1–0 by [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in the round of 16 after a goal scored from a penalty by [[Davor Šuker]].<ref name=EU/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/n-au-fost-20-sunt-25-de-ani-profetia-lui-gica-hagi-a-fost-mai-aspra-decat-se-preconize-la-30-iunie-1998-nationala-romaniei-juca-ultimul-ei-meci-la-un-campionat-mondial-special-19689520| title=N-au fost 20, sunt 25 de ani! Profeția lui Gică Hagi a fost mai aspră decât se preconiza. La 30 iunie 1998, naționala României juca ultimul ei meci la un Campionat Mondial| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=It wasn't 20, it's 25 years! Gică Hagi's prophecy was harsher than expected. On June 30, 1998, the Romanian national team played its last match at a World Championship| date=30 June 2023| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-inside-story-of-why-the-entire-romania-98-team-bleached-their-hair/ |title=The Inside Story of Why the Entire Romania '98 Team Bleached Their Hair |publisher=Vice News |last1=Lazăr |first1=Mihnea |date=11 June 2018 |access-date=5 November 2019 }}</ref>

===Euro 2000===
After World Cup 1998, Hagi retired from the national team.<ref name=GSP9>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/video-remember-cea-mai-emotionanta-noapte-din-istoria-fotbalului-romanesc-394139.html| title=Video remember. Cea mai emoționantă noapte din istoria fotbalului românesc| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Video remember. The most emotional night in the history of Romanian football| date=22 March 2013| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=GSP10>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/gsp-live-video-fiul-lui-adrian-paunescu-dezvaluiri-despre-emisiunea-eveniment-in-urma-careia-gica-hagi-a-revenit-la-nationala-a-fost-o-piesa-de-teatru-5-ore-de-emisie-si-oameni-pe-strazi-la-3-dimineata-580283.html| title=Fiul lui Adrian Păunescu, dezvăluiri despre emisiunea-eveniment în urma căreia Gică Hagi a revenit la națională: "A fost o piesă de teatru" 5 ore de emisie și oameni pe străzi la 3 dimineața| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Adrian Păunescu's son, revelations about the show-event after which Gică Hagi returned to the national team: "It was a play" 5 hours of broadcast and people on the streets at 3 in the morning| date=16 October 2019| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=AS>{{cite web | url=https://as.ro/fotbal/echipa-nationala/cum-l-au-intors-tutu-condurateanu-si-paunescu-pe-hagi-la-echipa-nationala-pai-cine-sunt-eu-sa-refuz-106783.html| title=Cum l-au întors Țuțu Condurățeanu și Păunescu pe Hagi la echipa națională: "Păi cine sunt eu să refuz?"| publisher=As.ro| language=ro |trans-title=How Țuțu Condurățeanu and Păunescu returned Hagi to the national team: "Well, who am I to refuse?"| date=29 June 2021| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> Before a game with [[Hungary–Romania football rivalry|rivals]] [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] at the [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 7|Euro 2000 qualifiers]], Hagi was invited by [[Adrian Păunescu]] at his "Meciul Meciurilor" (The Match of Matches) TV show.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> During the show, Păunescu and all his guests which were names from Romanian football but also from politics tried over the course of about five hours to convince Hagi to come back to the national team, also over 100 fans spontaneously came in front of the TV station's headquarters to cheer him even do it was past midnight.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> Seeing all of this happening, Hagi recalls saying to himself in those moments:"Who are you, for an entire country to beg for you?!"<ref name=GSP9/> He played in the 2–0 victory with the Hungarians, having a praised evolution by the press even do coach [[Victor Pițurcă]] used him only in the first half as he injured his shoulder.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> At the end of the game he was carried on the arms of his colleagues to tour the stadium, although his shoulder was immobilized in a splint.<ref name=GSP9/><ref name=GSP10/><ref name=AS/> In these qualifiers he would go on to score his last two goals for the national team in a win against Slovakia and a draw with Portugal.<ref name=EU/>

At the [[UEFA Euro 2000 Final|final tournament]], coach Emerich Jenei used him as a starter in the first two group stage matches, receiving a yellow card in each of them which got him suspended for the decisive game with [[England national football team|England]] but his teammates managed to win it without him and qualify to the quarter-finals.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP11>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/euro-2000-adio-generatia-de-aur-gica-hagi-eliminat-la-ultimul-meci-742516.html| title="The Last Dance" pentru Generația de Aur. 4 meciuri de foc, singura victorie la un European + Gică Hagi, eliminat în ultimul meci pentru națională| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title="The Last Dance" for the Golden Generation. 4 hot matches, the only victory in a European + Gică Hagi, eliminated in the last match for the national team | date=9 June 2024| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> There they lost with 2–0 in front of eventual runners-up [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in which Hagi received a red card in the 59th minute.<ref name=EU/><ref name=GSP11/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/eventi/euro2000/200006/24/3955184b02c4f/|title=Euro 2000: Italia-Romania (2–0)&nbsp;– Azzurri in semifinale|publisher=Rai Sport|language=it|date=24 June 2000|access-date=29 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112223504/http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/eventi/euro2000/200006/24/3955184b02c4f/|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=dead}}<br>{{cite web|url=http://walloffame.infostradasports.com/asp/index.asp?SortId=63|title=Wall of Fame: Gheorghe Hagi|publisher=Infostrada Sports|access-date=13 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201112155/http://walloffame.infostradasports.com/asp/index.asp?SortId=63|archive-date=1 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Retirement===
Hagi retired from professional football in 2001, at the age of 36 and that year he was given a send-off in a testimonial game on 24 April, called "Gala Hagi," featuring a team of Romanian All-Stars against a team of international All-Stars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1294532.stm |title=Hagi takes an all-star bow |work=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2001 |access-date=29 July 2018}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.fanatik.ro/20-de-ani-de-la-meciul-de-retragere-al-lui-gica-hagi-ultimul-bal-de-gala-al-regelui-video-19499139| title=20 de ani de la meciul de retragere al lui Gică Hagi! Ultimul "bal de gală" al "Regelui". Video| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=ro |trans-title=20 years since Gică Hagi's retirement match! The last "gala ball" of the "King". Video | date=24 April 2021| access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.playsport.ro/video-20-de-ani-de-la-gala-hagi-un-eveniment-grandios-cu-regele-in-prim-plan-pentru-ultima-data-sub-tricolor-29474| title=VIDEO. 20 de ani de la "Gala Hagi"! Un eveniment grandios cu "Regele" în prim-plan, pentru ultima dată sub "tricolor"| publisher=Playsport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Video. 20 years since the "Hagi Gala"! A grandiose event with the "King" in the foreground, for the last time under the "tricolor"| date=24 April 2021| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> At the time of his retirement, his 124 caps{{efn|name="ROM"}} for his country were a national record, which has since been surpassed by [[Dorinel Munteanu]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/gica-hagi-isi-poate-lua-revansa-in-fata-lui-dorinel-care-i-a-suflat-recordul-de-selectii-la-echipa-nationala-23004| title=Gică Hagi îşi poate lua revanşa în faţa lui Dorinel, care i-a "suflat" recordul de selecții la echipa națională| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Gică Hagi can get revenge against Dorinel, who "blew" his national team selection record | date=16 November 2012| access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> He currently still holds the record of most goals scored for Romania, alongside [[Adrian Mutu]], with 35.<ref name="Romania and Gala’s commander and king"/><ref name="Gheorghe Hagi: The Maradona of the Carpathians"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-romania-mutu/soccer-former-goal-hero-mutu-returns-to-dinamo-as-general-manager-idINL4N1CI4A3 |title=Soccer-Former goal hero Mutu returns to Dinamo as general manager |work=in.reuters.com |date=12 October 2016 |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801024042/https://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-romania-mutu/soccer-former-goal-hero-mutu-returns-to-dinamo-as-general-manager-idINL4N1CI4A3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

For representing his country at six final tournaments, Hagi was decorated by [[President of Romania]] [[Traian Băsescu]] on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class II.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Monitorul_Oficial_al_Rom%C3%A2niei._Partea_I_2008-03-28%2C_nr._241.pdf |title=DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv |publisher=Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241 |date=28 March 2008 |page=3 |access-date=11 February 2025}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://old.presidency.ro/index.php?_RID=det&tb=date_arhiva&id=10313&_PRID=arh |title=Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc |publisher=Administrația Prezidențială |date=25 March 2008 |access-date=11 February 2025|archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912005010/http://old.presidency.ro/index.php?_RID=det&tb=date_arhiva&id=10313&_PRID=arh |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013 he was [[Decorations of the Romanian Royal House|Decorated at the Romanian Royal House]] with the "Nihil Sine Deo" medal by [[Margareta of Romania]], Hagi saying at the event:"It's an important moment for me, I'm happy, I'm glad because all the sacrifices I've made in life were worth it, and right now I feel even more honored and responsible and I have more ambition to keep going, to keep working and giving my best for football, for children".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://casamajestatiisale.ro/familia-regala/ordine-decoraii/decoratia-regala-nihil-sine-deo/| title=Decorația regală "Nihil Sine Deo"| publisher=Casamajestatiisale.ro| language=ro |trans-title=The "Nihil Sine Deo" royal decoration| access-date=12 March 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/eveniment-emotionant-la-castelul-peles-radu-beligan-gica-hagi-margareta-paslaru-si-marina-voica-decorati-de-casa-regala-879190| title=Eveniment Emoționant la Castelul Peleș. Radu Beligan, Gică Hagi, Margareta Pâslaru și Marina Voica, decorați de Casa Regală| publisher=Libertatea.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Emotional Event at Peleș Castle. Radu Beligan, Gică Hagi, Margareta Pâslaru and Marina Voica, decorated by the Royal House| date=12 May 2013| access-date=12 March 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.antena3.ro/externe/margareta-paslaru-marina-voica-radu-beligan-si-gheorghe-hagi-decorati-de-casa-regala-213876.html| title=Margareta Pâslaru, Marina Voica, Radu Beligan şi Gheorghe Hagi, decoraţi de Casa Regală| publisher=Antena3.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Margareta Pâslaru, Marina Voica, Radu Beligan and Gheorghe Hagi, decorated by the Royal House| date=12 May 2013| access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> On 12 March 2025, Hagi was decorated by President [[Ilie Bolojan]] with the [[Order of the Star of Romania]] in the rank of Knight, the highest distinction of the Romanian state.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/gica-hagi-decorat-steaua-romaniei-ilie-bolojan-785164.html| title=Gică Hagi, decorat cu Ordinul Național "Steaua României". "Regele", gâtuit de emoție, cu lacrimi în ochi! Nume mari au participat la ceremonie| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Gică Hagi, decorated with the National Order "Star of Romania". The "King", choked with emotion, with tears in his eyes! Big names attended the ceremony| date=12 March 2025| access-date=12 March 2025}}<br>{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/gica-hagi-a-inceput-sa-planga-cand-a-primit-steaua-romaniei-50-de-ani-de-munca-20116042| title=Gică Hagi a început să plângă când a primit Steaua României: "50 de ani de muncă"| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=ro |trans-title=Gică Hagi started crying when he received the Romanian Star: "50 years of work"| date=12 March 2025| access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref>