Nicolae Ungureanu, Craiova Maxima Legend, Dies at 69

Romanian football mourns the loss of Nicolae 'Nae' Ungureanu, a vital member of the celebrated Craiova Maxima and a former Romanian international, who died on Friday, August 28, at the age of 69.

Ungureanu, a former left-back, was discovered lifeless in his home on Friday morning. This tragic event occurred just hours after he had watched a European cup match alongside his former teammate Nicolae Negrilă.

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I'm finished, man. I found him dead in the house in Mohora. We are in Sadu. We watched the match together, me and Nae. He got really angry and said let's go home. He was fine, just upset about the result. We got home and went to sleep in separate rooms. In the morning I heard Narcis's dogs running agitatedly in Nae's room. I went there and found him ice cold. I got scared and called Narcis. Nae was already dead. Now the forensic doctors are here. I managed to call and tell only Laura, his daughter. I'm not calling his wife because I'm afraid something might happen to her. I'm crying, man. Nae is dead.

News of Ungureanu's death was confirmed Friday morning, prompting a tribute from Universitatea Craiova, who remembered him as "A name that will forever remain in the blue-and-white history."

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A name that will forever remain in the blue-and-white history.

According to Negrilă, who spoke with ProSport, Ungureanu had not complained of any health issues the previous evening, expressing only frustration over the match's outcome. Negrilă recounted finding his friend unresponsive after noticing unusual activity. "I'm finished, man. I found him dead in the house in Mohora," Negrilă said, visibly distressed. "I'm crying, man. Nae is dead."

This news sent shockwaves through the former Craiova Maxima players. Sorin Cârțu mentioned being informed around 4 a.m. by Ungureanu's daughter. Ungureanu had faced significant health challenges before, including a stroke in 2021 and prior medical issues requiring surgery. Born in Craiova in 1956, Ungureanu began his career at Electroputere before joining Universitatea Craiova in 1977, where he played for a decade and became a symbol of the team that reached the UEFA Cup semifinals in the 1982-1983 season. He even scored against Fiorentina during that campaign.

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I'm devastated, I have no words.