Gheorghe Hagi (born 5 February 1965 in Săcele) is a former Romanian footballer. He was famous for his passing, close control, long shots and was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Galatasaray fans called him 'Commandante' (The Commander). Nicknamed The Maradona of the Carpathians , he is considered a hero in his homeland as well as in Turkey.