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Romania mourns Nicolae Lupescu

Obituaries

Former Romanian international defender Nicolae Lupescu, a legendary figure over ten years with FC Rapid Bucureşti, has passed away at the age of 76.

Nicolae Lupescu played for Romania in the 1970 FIFA World Cup
Nicolae Lupescu played for Romania in the 1970 FIFA World Cup ©FRF

Romanian football is mourning the loss of one of its most renowned players, former defender Nicolae Lupescu, who has passed away at the age of 76.

Born in Bucharest on 17 December 1940, Nicolae Lupescu was a legendary figure at FC Rapid Bucureşti, for whom he played for ten years from 1962 to 1972, winning a domestic title in 1967 and the Romanian Cup in 1972.

He played 234 matches in the Romanian top flight, scoring eight goals, before moving to Austria for a five-year spell with SK Admira Wacker, where he ended his playing career.

Nicolae Lupescu won 21 caps for Romania between 1964 and 1972, scoring twice, and was a member of the team that took part in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

His son Ioan Lupescu also enjoyed a distinguished playing career with another club in the Romanian capital, FC Dinamo Bucureşti, as well as several clubs abroad, winning 74 caps for his country. He is now managing director for technical development at UEFA.