Cristi Chivu recalls communist childhood, father's death, and football dreams

Cristi Chivu, the former Inter Milan coach, has offered a candid look into his past, detailing a childhood marked by scarcity under Romania's communist regime.

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We had few things, those allowed by the communist regime in Romania. But we grew up with the education received from my parents, enjoying childhood, with the desire not to lose that happiness. We had little, but we enjoyed everything.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Chivu described his early years as happy despite limited possessions, attributing his contentment to his parents' upbringing and his passion for football, inherited from his father who was an amateur coach. He recounted playing with a tennis ball, using a room door as a goal, and developing his skills.

A significant turning point in Chivu's life was the death of his father when he was sixteen and a half. He revealed a promise made to his father before his passing, vowing to become responsible and care for his family. This commitment, he said, has guided him through both good and difficult times, keeping him grounded.

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I was sixteen and a half years old. I wanted to prove to him what he had always thought of me, but which I only learned later from my mother: that I could grow up responsibly and forge my own path through my own efforts.

Chivu also touched upon the financial realities of his football career, mentioning buying his mother a house once his earnings became substantial. The interview highlighted his deep bond with his mother following his father's death, underscoring the lasting influence of his paternal figure and the promises made.

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I told him not to worry, because I would become very responsible and take care of the whole family. I grew up suddenly, and I always had that promise before my eyes.