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TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Hakan Calhanoglu of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Hakan Calhanoglu’s hug with Mircea Lucescu following Turkey’s win over Romania in March has gone viral in the wake of the Romanian coach’s passing at 80: ‘You did so much for me,’ wrote the Inter star.
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The world of football is mourning legendary coach Lucescu, who died on Tuesday at age 80.
The former Inter and Brescia boss had taken charge of his last game just a few days earlier, seeing his Romania side lose 1-0 against Turkey in the World Cup play-off semifinal.
After the match, Inter star Calhanoglu warmly hugged his former national team coach.
Lucescu, in fact, had coached Turkey between 2017 and 2018, during which Calhanoglu scored one goal and provided one assist in 12 appearances.
Calhanoglu’s final hug with Lucescu has gone viral on social media, and even the Inter star shared it in his Instagram stories.
Calhanoglu’s hug with Lucescu
“We have lost not only a great coach, but also a person of great character,” wrote Calhanoglu.
“You did so much for me, and I will always remember you with respect and gratitude. Rest in peace, coach.”
Inter and their ex-midfielder Andrea Pirlo also paid tribute to Lucescu on social media following his death.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
