Marius Ștefănescu Explained

Marius Ștefănescu
Upright:0.8
Fullname:Marius Ștefănescu
Birth Date:14 August 1998
Birth Place:Caracal, Romania
Height:1.73 m
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:FCSB
Clubnumber:15
Youthyears1:2008–2012
Youthclubs1:CSȘ Caracal
Youthyears2:2012–2014
Youthclubs2:Viitorul Cluj
Youthyears3:2014–2017
Youthclubs3:Sepsi OSK
Years1:2017–2024
Clubs1:Sepsi OSK
Caps1:160
Goals1:31
Years2:2017–2019
Clubs2:→ KSE Târgu Secuiesc (loan)
Caps2:53
Goals2:15
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:FCSB
Caps3:5
Goals3:1
Nationalyears1:2022–
Nationalteam1:Romania
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:9 August 2024
Nationalteam-Update:20 November 2022

Marius Ștefănescu (in Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan pronounced as /ˈmari.us ʃtefəˈnesku/; born 14 August 1998) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Liga I club FCSB.

Ștefănescu spent the first part of his senior career at Sepsi OSK, for which he made his professional debut in 2019, aged 20. He totalled 160 appearances in the top league and aided them in winning four domestic trophies, before transferring to FCSB in 2024.

Internationally, Ștefănescu registered his full debut for Romania in June 2022, in a 0–3 UEFA Nations League loss to Montenegro.

Club career

Early career / Sepsi OSK

2017–2019: Loan to KSE Târgu Secuiesc

Born in Caracal, Ștefănescu joined the academy of Sepsi OSK from Viitorul Cluj, with his former side retaining 50% participation rights in a co-ownership deal.[1] [2] Between 2017 and 2019, he was loaned out to nearby club KSE Târgu Secuiesc,[3] where he registered his debut as a senior in the Liga III championship.

2019–2023: Professional debut and development

On 12 July 2019, Ștefănescu played his first Liga I match for Sepsi by coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for István Fülöp in a goalless draw with Voluntari.[4] He scored his first two goals in the competition on 10 December that year, in a 4–0 thrashing of Academica Clinceni.[5]

On 22 July 2020, Ștefănescu started in a 0–1 loss to FCSB in the Cupa României final.[6] He recorded his European debut on 22 July 2021, in a 0–0 away draw with Spartak Trnava counting for the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round.[7] On 31 October, he scored a double in a 4–1 league defeat of Dinamo București.[8]

On 19 May 2022, Ștefănescu aided Sepsi in winning its first trophy after netting twice in the 2–1 win against Voluntari in the Cupa României,[9] and thus ended the season with 12 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions. In May and July 2022, he was consecutively named the Romania Player of the Month by the Gazeta Sporturilor daily. On 21 July that year, he scored his first European goal in a 3–1 defeat of Olimpija Ljubljana in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round.[10]

2023–2024: Transfer saga and best-goalscoring season

In the summer of 2023, Ștefănescu was heavily linked with fellow league clubs and rivals Rapid București and FCSB,[1] [2] [11] [12] but nothing came of it. In March 2024, Rapid shareholders Dan Șucu and Victor Angelescu accused Ștefănescu of intentionally getting booked in a match with Petrolul Ploiești (2–1 away win) so he would be suspended against FCSB—they believed Sepsi and FCSB had already agreed on a deal for his transfer the next summer. Sepsi owner László Diószegi responded by stating he would not sell Ștefanescu to FCSB for "not even €10 million".[13]

Ștefănescu ended the 2023–24 season, his last at Sepsi OSK, by scoring a career-best 14 goals from 45 matches in all competitions.

FCSB

On 14 June 2024, FCSB officially announced the signing of Ștefanescu,[14] with owner Gigi Becali reporting the transfer fee as €1.31 million.[15] He scored on his official debut on 4 July, in a 3–0 win over Corvinul Hunedoara in the Supercupa României,[16] representing his third consecutive success in the competition.

Ștefanescu scored his first league goal for the Roș-albaștrii on 9 August 2024, converting a free kick in a 3–2 home victory over Farul Constanța.[17]

International career

Ștefănescu was called up to the Romania national team for the first time by coach Edward Iordănescu on 24 May 2022, for the four opening group games with Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.[18] He made his debut against the former opponent, starting in the 0–3 away loss on 14 June.[19]

Style of play

Ștefănescu is generally deployed on the left flank in an advanced midfield position or as a winger, but has also played as a full-back on occasion.[3]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sepsi OSK2019–20Liga I28360——343
2020–21Liga I31010—10330
2021–22Liga I3585420—4212
2022–23Liga I306611110388
2023–24Liga I36142060104514
Total16031205913019237
KSE Târgu Secuiesc (loan)2017–18Liga III25500——255
2018–19Liga III281000——2810
Total531500——5315
2024–25Liga I41005011102
Career total217472051414125554

International

[20]

Honours

Sepsi OSK

2021–22, 2022–23

2022, 2023

FCSB

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dezvăluiri din culisele negocierilor pentru transferul lui Marius Ștefănescu, jucător pentru care se luptă FCSB și Rapid: "I-am trimis un mesaj cu propunerea noastră". Behind the scenes revelations of the negotiations for the transfer of Marius Ștefănescu, the player which FCSB and Rapid are fighting for: "We've sent him a message with our proposal". Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 11 August 2023. 12 August 2023.
  2. Web site: A cumpărat Gigi Becali 50% din Marius Ștefănescu? Reacție Sepsi. Exclusiv. Has Gigi Becali bought 50% of Marius Ștefănescu? Sepsi's reaction. Exclusive. Fanatik.ro. ro. 11 August 2023. 11 August 2023.
  3. Web site: INTERVIU Vedeta lui Sepsi încearcă să fure meserie de la Messi: "E greu să-l copiezi, dar e idolul meu de când eram mic". INTERVIEW Sepsi's star tries to steal Messi's job: "It's hard to emulate him, but he's been my idol since I was little". Sport.ro. ro. 12 May 2023. 29 May 2023.
  4. Web site: VIDEO FC Voluntari - Sepsi 0-0. Liga 1 a reînceput, fotbalul a rămas în vacanţă. Remiză albă în primul meci al noului sezon. FC Voluntari - Sepsi 0–0. The Liga 1 started again, football remained on holiday. Blank draw in the first match of the new season. Orange Sport. ro. 12 July 2019. 12 August 2023.
  5. Web site: VIDEO Sepsi - Academica Clinceni 4-0. Meci "nebun" la Sfântu Gheorghe. Gazdele s-au dezlănțuit în repriza a doua. VIDEO Sepsi - Academica Clinceni 4–0. "Crazy" match in Sfântu Gheorghe. The hosts went wild in the second half!. Digi Sport. ro. 10 December 2019. 12 August 2023.
  6. Web site: Dennis Man aduce Cupa României în București! Finala a fost decisă de o gafă uriașă!. Dennis Man brings the Romanian Cup to Bucharest! The final was decided by a huge blunder!. Digi Sport. ro. 22 July 2020. 11 August 2023.
  7. Web site: Spartak Trnava 0–0 Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe. UEFA.com. 22 July 2021. 11 August 2023.
  8. Web site: Sepsi – Dinamo, 4-1. Echipa din "Ștefan cel Mare", umilită din nou în Liga 1! Elevii lui Mircea Rednic, cu moralul la pământ. Sepsi – Dinamo, 4–1. The team from "Ștefan cel Mare", humiliated again in Liga 1! Mircea Rednic's students, with a low morale. ProSport. ro. 31 October 2021. 25 August 2023.
  9. Web site: FOTO Finala Cupei României: Sepsi – FC Voluntari 2-1! Ștefănescu aduce Cupa la Sfântu Gheorghe!. PHOTO Romanian Cup Final: Sepsi - FC Voluntari 2–1! Ștefănescu brings the Cup to Sfântu Gheorghe!. Romanian Football Federation. ro. 19 May 2022. 11 August 2023.
  10. Web site: Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe 3–1 Olimpija Ljubljana. UEFA.com. 21 July 2022. 11 August 2023.
  11. Web site: EXCLUSIV Șucu a plusat, dar Ștefănescu rămâne la Sepsi! Ce mai așteaptă covăsnenii pentru a-i da drumul la Rapid. EXCLUSIVE Șucu has increased the offer, but Ștefănescu stays at Sepsi! What are Covăsnenii waiting for to let him go to Rapid. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 2 August 2023. 11 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Meme Stoica, anunțul momentului despre transferul pe care Gigi Becali vrea să i-l "fure" de sub nas lui Dan Șucu! FCSB e gata să dea lovitura Rapidului, dar cu o condiție: "S-o luăm logic". Meme Stoica, the big announcement regarding the transfer that Gigi Becali wants to "steal" from under Dan Șucu's nose! FCSB is ready to strike against Rapid, but with one condition: "Let's think logically". ProSport. ro. 10 August 2023. 11 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Laszlo Pinocchio » Dioszegi și-a vândut onoarea pentru "peste un milion". De la "ca să arăt tuturor din România că nu facem blaturi" la "100% Ștefănescu nu e de vânzare pentru FCSB". László Pinocchio » Diószegi sold his honour for "over a million". From showing "everyone in Romania that we don't fix matches" to "Ștefănescu is 100% not for sale for FCSB". Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 13 June 2024. 14 June 2024.
  14. Web site: OFICIAL FCSB, al treilea transfer al verii: Marius Ștefănescu a semnat! Ce număr va purta. OFFICIAL FCSB, the third transfer of the summer: Marius Ștefănescu has signed! What number will he wear?. Digi Sport. ro. 14 June 2024. 14 June 2024.
  15. Web site: Gigi Becali a dezvăluit suma exactă pe care a plătit-o pentru Ștefănescu + Ce le transmite lui Șucu și Angelescu, după acuzațiile controversate. Gigi Becali revealed the exact amount he paid for Ștefănescu + What message he's sending to Șucu and Angelescu, after the controversial accusations. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 13 June 2024. 5 July 2024.
  16. Web site: FCSB a câștigat Supercupa României, ediția 2024. FCSB won the Romanian Supercup, 2024 edition. Romanian Football Federation. ro. 4 July 2024. 5 July 2024.
  17. Web site: Gol în stilul Florinel Coman pentru cel mai criticat fotbalist al lui Gigi Becali! Execuție perfectă în FCSB – Farul Constanța pentru Marius Ştefănescu. Florinel Coman-style goal for Gigi Becali's most criticised footballer! Perfect shot in FCSB – Farul Constanța for Marius Ștefănescu. ProSport. ro. 9 August 2024. 19 August 2024.
  18. Web site: Edi Iordănescu a anunțat lotul complet pentru meciurile din Liga Națiunilor » 3 jucători convocați în premieră. Edi Iordănescu announced the complete squad for the Nations League matches » 3 players called up for the first time. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 24 May 2022. 24 May 2022.
  19. Web site: Marius Ștefănescu, marea surpriză a lui Edi Iordănescu! 5 titulari din meciul cu Finlanda, rezerve în duelul cu Muntenegru. Marius Ștefănescu, Edi Iordănescu's great surprise! 5 starters from the match with Finland, substitutes for the duel with Montenegro. Sport.ro. ro. 14 June 2022. 12 August 2023.
  20. Web site: Marius Ștefănescu. European Football. 14 June 2022.
  21. Web site: Sepsi e Regina! » Marius Ștefănescu a fost ales "Jucătorul lunii mai", iar Cristiano Bergodi - "Antrenorul lunii"! Cum s-a votat. Sepsi is the Queen! » Marius Ștefănescu was chosen "Player of the month in May", and Cristiano Bergodi - "Coach of the month"! How the voting took place. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 2 June 2022. 2 June 2022.
  22. Web site: Au "capturat" premiile » Marius Ștefănescu a fost ales "Jucătorul lunii iulie", iar Cristiano Bergodi - "Antrenorul lunii"! Cum s-a votat. They seized the trophies » Marius Ștefănescu was chosen "Player of the month in July", and Cristiano Bergodi - "Coach of the month"! How the voting took place. Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 5 August 2022. 2 August 2022.

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