Octavian Popescu (footballer, born 2002)

For other people with the same name, see Octavian Popescu.

Octavian George Popescu (Romanian pronunciation: [oktaviˈan ˈdʒe̯ordʒe poˈpesku]; born 27 December 2002) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder for Liga I club FCSB and the Romania national team.

Octavian Popescu

Popescu with FCSB in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Octavian George Popescu
Date of birth	(2002-12-27) 27 December 2002 (age 20)
Place of birth	Târgoviște, Romania
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Winger, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	FCSB
Number	10
Youth career
2011–2014	Grup Școlar Agricol Nucet
2014–2020	Regal Sport București
2019	→ Rapid București (loan)
2019–2020	→ Universitatea Craiova (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–	FCSB	118	(20)
2020	→ Turris Turnu Măgurele (loan)	0	(0)
International career^‡
2021–	Romania U21	13	(1)
2021	Romania Olympic	2	(0)
2022–	Romania	7	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 December 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 October 2023

After playing junior football for Rapid București and Universitatea Craiova among others, Popescu recorded his professional debut with FCSB in 2020, at age 17.

Internationally, he made his senior debut for Romania in a 0–1 friendly loss to Greece in March 2022. Popescu previously represented the nation at under-21 and under-23 levels, competing in two UEFA European Championships with the former.

Club career

Early career

Popescu started practising football at age eight with the team of his local high school from Nucet, Dâmbovița County.^[1] In 2014, he moved to Regal Sport București, where he was teammates with Radu Drăgușin and Luca Florică among others. The capital-based club loaned him out to Rapid București and Universitatea Craiova, respectively, before Popescu joined FCSB in 2020.^[2][3]

FCSB

2020–2021: Debut season

Popescu was loaned out by FCSB to second tier side Turris Turnu Măgurele on 20 August 2020, but was immediately recalled to his parent club after general manager Mihai Stoica and owner Gigi Becali found out the deal was agreed over their heads.^[4] One month later, aged 17, he made his professional debut for FCSB by coming on for Robert Ion in the 50th minute of a 3–0 Liga I win over Argeș Pitești.^[3]

Popescu scored his first career goal and also provided an assist on 30 January 2021, in a 3–1 defeat of Politehnica Iași at the Arena Națională.^[5] On 15 April 2021, he started in a 1–4 penalty shoot-out loss to CFR Cluj in the Supercupa României.^[6] FCSB also lost the national title to the latter opponent, and he ended his debut season as a senior with four goals from 34 appearances in all competitions.

2021–present: Breakthrough and development

On 25 July 2021, Popescu scored in a 4–1 league defeat of his former youth team Universitatea Craiova,^[7] and on 12 September netted in a 6–0 derby thrashing of Dinamo București.^[8] In January 2022, he opened the scoring in successive fixtures against CFR Cluj (3–3 draw) and Dinamo București (3–0 win).^[9][10] Popescu scored the only goal of a championship play-off match against CFR Cluj on 17 April, representing FCSB's first win at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium in almost eight years.^[11] He amassed 38 appearances and ten goals in his second season in Bucharest.

Ahead of the 2022–23 campaign, Popescu switched his shirt number from 9 to 11, but at the end of July was handed the number 10 jersey and also appointed vice-captain as a result of Florin Tănase's imminent departure.^[12] After a several-month goal drought, he scored his first goal of the season on 6 November, in a 3–1 derby win over Rapid București. It was a disappointing year for Popescu, only totalling four goals in all competitions, the last in another game against Rapid in which he was sent off less than 20 minutes after he came on, on 27 May 2023.^[13]

On 29 July 2023, in the first league match after his suspension expired, Popescu opened a 2–0 away win over newly-promoted Oțelul Galați.^[14] He scored his first goal in European competitions on 3 August, his late winner helping defeat CSKA 1948 3–2 at home and 4–2 on aggregate in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.^[15]

International career

 

Popescu (right) on his senior debut for Romania against Greece in March 2022

Popescu did not represent Romania at any level prior to 2021, in spite of being considered a talented prospect.^[16][17] He made his debut for the under-21 side in March 2021,^[18] aged 18, after entering as a substitute in the UEFA European Championship group stage matches against Hungary and Germany, which ended 2–1 and 0–0, respectively.

In June 2021, Popescu featured for the under-23 team in friendlies against Mexico and Australia, but was later not allowed by FCSB to participate in the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics.^[19] On 25 March 2022, 19-year-old Popescu was handed his full debut for Romania in a 0–1 exhibition loss to Greece at the Stadionul Steaua, being brought on for Alexandru Mitriță in the 62nd minute.^[20]

On 15 June 2023, Popescu returned to the Romania under-21 squad and was selected for his second European Championship.^[21]

Player profile

Style of play

Popescu's best attributes are his pace and acceleration, while at the same time possesses appreciable dribbling skills and creativity. He is able to strike the ball with both feet, and has been deployed in the centre as an attacking midfielder or wide as a winger.^[22][2]

Reception

Popescu's breakthrough in FCSB's senior team was highly regarded by Romanian pundits—Cornel Dinu described him as a "very talented kid of extraordinary quality" who "has similarities to Florea Dumitrache",^[23] Gabi Balint stated he is a quick-thinking genius "just like [Gheorghe] Hagi was",^[22] and Basarab Panduru emphasised his versatility. Dinu continued his praises and compared him to Adrian Mutu, considering Popescu can have a much more successful career.^[24]

His former coach Daniel Pancu regarded him a "fantastic talent",^[2] while Dorinel Munteanu said that he is a "youngster who looks different from what we have in Romania" and that from his "generation, from [Gheorghe] Hagi—not even from Adrian Mutu, but from Hagi" he has "never seen such a lightness to play in depth or to provide the final pass".^[25]

When discussing his weaknesses, Balint noted in February 2021 that Popescu should become more consistent during the full 90 minutes and build muscle mass,^[22] and the following year Ioan Sabău made a similar remark.^[26] In May 2023, after being sent off in a match against Rapid București, former LPF president Dumitru Dragomir accused Popescu of "lack of education".^[27]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 December 2023^[28]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
FCSB	2020–21	Liga I	32	4	0	0	1^[a]	0	1^[b]	0	34	4
	2021–22		36	10	0	0	2^[c]	0	—		38	10
	2022–23		36	4	1	0	12^[c]	0	—		49	4
	2023–24		14	2	2	0	4^[c]	1	—		20	3
	Total		118	20	3	0	19	1	1	0	141	21

1. Appearance in UEFA Europa League
2. Appearance in Supercupa României
3. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

As of match played 28 March 2023^[29]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Romania
	2022	5	0
	2023	2	0
Total		7	0

Honours

FCSB

• Supercupa României runner-up: 2020^[6]

Individual

• Gazeta Sporturilor Romania Player of the Month: March 2022^[30]

References

1. "Micuța școală din Dâmbovița, care i-a descoperit pe Tavi Popescu și alți fotbaliști din Liga 1" [The small school in Dâmbovița, which discovered Tavi Popescu and other footballers from Liga 1] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
2. ""E din categoria lui Dobrin! Iti sare in ochi de la 100 de metri!" Ce club ar fi putut sa-l transfere pe Octavian Popescu inainte de FCSB si Craiova" ["He's from Dobrin's category! It strikes you from 100 meters away!" Which club could have transferred Octavian Popescu before FCSB and Craiova] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 31 January 2021.
3. "Octavian Popescu, jucătorul "furat" Craiovei, a debutat la FCSB!" [Octavian Popescu, the player "stolen" from Craiova, made his debut for FCSB!] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 20 September 2020.
4. "Mihai Stoica, dezvăluiri despre modul în care l-a "furat" pe Octavian Popescu de la Turris Turnu Măgurele: "I-am explicat lui Gigi că nu e normal!"" [Mihai Stoica, revealings about the way he "stole" Octavian Popescu from Turris Turnu Măgurele: "I explained Gigi that it's not normal!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
5. "Octavian Popescu, omul serii în FCSB - Poli Iași! Ilie Dumitrescu și Gabi Balint, impresionați de puștiul de 18 ani" [Octavian Popescu, the man of the evening in FCSB - Poli Iași! Ilie Dumitrescu and Gabi Balint, impressed by the 18-year-old kid] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 30 January 2021.
6. "FOTO&VIDEO | CFR Cluj a câștigat Supercupa României!" [PHOTO&VIDEO | CFR Cluj won the Romanian Supercup!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
7. "FCSB - Universitatea Craiova 4-1. Oltenii au fost făcuți KO pe Arena Națională! Moruțan și Markovic, goluri de generic" [FCSB - Universitatea Craiova 4–1. Oltenii were knocked out at the National Arena! Moruțan and Marković, incredible goals] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
8. "VIDEO FCSB - Dinamo 6-0! Rezultat istoric obţinut de echipa lui Iordănescu! 'Câinii' nu au avut nicio şansă după eliminarea lui Filip" [VIDEO FCSB - Dinamo 6–0! Historic result obtained by Iordănescu's team! The "dogs" had no chance after Filip's sending off] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 12 September 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
9. "FCSB - CFR CLUJ. I-a ieșit bijuteria! » Cum a reușit Octavian Popescu unul dintre golurile sezonului în derby: 3 vinovați" [FCSB - CFR CLUJ. The rocket hit its target! » How Octavian Popescu managed to score one of the season's best goals in the derby: 3 guilties]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 23 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
10. "EXCLUSIV Tavi Popescu era convins că va înscrie în derby-ul cu Dinamo: "M-am întâlnit cu el și mi-a spus asta"" [EXCLUSIVE Tavi Popescu was certain he would score in the derby against Dinamo: "I met with him and he said this"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
11. "Entuziasm la FCSB, după prima victorie la Cluj în ultimii opt ani: "Am arătat că nu suntem copilași!" Tavi Popescu speră să calce pe urmele lui Ronaldo. Toate reacțiile" [Enthusiasm at FCSB, after the first victory in Cluj in the last eight years: "We showed that we are not small kids!" Tavi Popescu hopes to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps. All the reactions] (in Romanian). Playsport.ro. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
12. "EXCLUSIV FCSB are un nou număr 10! "Dică a fost cu ideea"" [EXCLUSIVE FCSB has a new number 10! "Dică came up with the idea"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
13. "VIDEO Octavian Popescu, greu de stăpânit după eliminarea din derby-ul cu Rapid! Cum a reacționat" [VIDEO Octavian Popescu, difficult to handle after being eliminated in the derby against Rapid! How he reacted] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
14. "Octavian Popescu a răbufnit după euro-golul din Oțelul Galați – FCSB 0-2 și îi face praf pe analiștii care l-au criticat în emisiuni: "Am văzut niște aiureli la televizor ieri"" [Octavian Popescu raged after his Euro-goal from Oțelul Galați - FCSB 0–2 and dusts the analysts who criticised him during talk shows: "I saw some nonsense on TV yesterday"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
15. "FCSB 3–2 CSKA 1948". UEFA.com. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
16. "FCSB. FRF l-a ignorat pe noul Dobrin! În trecut a mai existat un caz asemănător" [FCSB. FRF ignored the new Dobrin! There has been a similar case in the past]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 1 February 2021.
17. "Mihai Stoichiță, dezvăluiri incredibile despre Octavian Popescu: "Craiova nu l-a lăsat la lot!"" [Mihai Stoichiță, incredible disclosures about Octavian Popescu: "Craiova did not allow him to join the team!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 February 2021.
18. "Adrian Mutu a anunțat lotul României pentru Euro 2021! Ce jucători vor merge în Ungaria și Slovenia" [Adrian Mutu announced Romania's squad for Euro 2021! What players will go to Hungary and Slovenia] (in Romanian). Eurosport România. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
19. ""I-am spus lui Mirel că-i dau!" Anunţul făcut de Gigi Becali în privinţa jucătorilor de la FCSB" ["I told Mirel I would allow them to go!" The announcement made by Gigi Becali regarding the FCSB players] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022. They also took Tavi, but we will need him, because Tavi is an important player now, even if he is 18 years old.
20. "Octavian Popescu a debutat la naționala României! Fanii de la CSA Steaua nu s-au putut abține" [Octavian Popescu made his debut for the Romania national team! Fans of CSA Steaua could not contain themselves] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
21. "U21 la EURO 2023 | VIDEO: Ei sunt ROMÂNIA U21 pentru Campionatul European!" [U21 at EURO 2023 | VIDEO: They are ROMANIA U21 for the European Championship!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
22. "Balint, discurs FANTASTIC despre Octavian Popescu: "E ca Hagi, are geniu!" Fazele care l-au impresionat pe idolul Stelei: "E deja peste Man, asa il vad!" The dribbles that impressed the Steaua legend: "He's already better than Man, that's how I see it!"" [Balint, FANTASTIC speech about Octavian Popescu: "He's like Hagi, he has genius!"] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 2 February 2021.
23. "Cornel Dinu, cuvinte mari despre un fotbalist de la FCSB! L-a asemănat cu marele Florea Dumitrache: "Seamănă izbitor cu el. Uitaţi-vă cum ţine mingea la picior!"" [Cornel Dinu, big words about a footballer of FCSB! He likened him to the great Florea Dumitrache: "He looks strikingly like him. Just notice how he keeps the ball at his feet!"] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 23 November 2020.
24. "Octavian Popescu, comparat cu Adrian Mutu. Cornel Dinu: "Asta ne șochează"" [Octavian Popescu, compared to Adrian Mutu. Cornel Dinu: "That shocks us"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 2 February 2021.
25. ""De la Hagi n-am mai văzut așa ceva". Octavian Popescu, lăudat de două legende: "Sunt puțini în lume care pot asta"" ["I've never seen anything like this since Hagi". Octavian Popescu, praised by two legends: "There are few in the world who can do this"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 February 2021.
26. "Ioan Ovidiu Sabău îl sfătuiește pe Tavi Popescu: "De asta are nevoie pentru a juca la o echipă din Europa" + Ce fotbaliști admiră din Liga 1 și pe cine vede liderul naționalei" [Ioan Ovidiu Sabău advises Tavi Popescu: "This is what he need in order to play for a European team" + What footballers he admires from the Liga 1 and who he sees as the leader of the national team]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
27. "Atac devastator la adresa lui Octavian Popescu: "A luat-o razna cu capul!". Video Exclusiv" [Devastating attack on Octavian Popescu: "He's gone crazy!". Exclusive Video] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
28. Octavian Popescu at Soccerway. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
29. "Octavian Popescu". European Football. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
30. "Luna juniorilor » Octavian Popescu a fost ales "Jucătorul lunii martie", iar Răzvan Lucescu - "Antrenorul lunii"! Cum s-a votat" [Month of the juniors » Octavian Popescu was chosen "Player of the month in March", and Răzvan Lucescu - "Coach of the month"! How the voting took place]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 4 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.

External links

• Octavian Popescu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
• Octavian Popescu at National-Football-Teams.com
• FCSB official profile (in Romanian)