Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi follows in his father Gheorghe’s footsteps by appearing at the Nou Camp, albeit for Deportivo Alaves against Barcelona.
Gheorghe Hagi, the legendary former Romanian international, last played for Barcelona 27 years ago, spending two years at the club between 1994 and 1996.
Gheorghe Hagi crossed the El Classico divide in the process, having spent two years at Real Madrid before moving to the Nou Camp, with a stint at Italian side Brescia in between.
Gheorghe’s son Ianis Hagi was back at the Nou Camp almost three decades later, but this time the Rangers playmaker was representing Deportivo Alaves.
Ianis Hagi came on as a late second-half substitute for Alaves, who turned to the resurgent Romanian international after falling behind in the match despite having taken the lead.
Samu Omorodion’s first-minute goal was eventually wiped out by a second-half double from Robert Lewandowski, and Ianis Hagi was called upon immediately after the Barcelona striker’s second.
Coming off the bench with 12 minutes remaining in regulation, it’s a moment neither Ianis Hagi nor his father Gheorghe will soon forget as the attacking midfielder returned to his father’s old club.
But the midfield playmaker couldn’t get his loan side back into the game, and Alaves are now 15th in La Liga and on the verge of relegation after the 2-1 defeat.
Ianis Hagi moves from the Rangers bench to the pitch against Barcelona.
Rangers fans are still perplexed as to why Ianis Hagi was allowed to leave the club this summer after missing so much time due to injury.
After suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January 2022, Michael Beale was unable to provide the player with assurances about playing time, and after Ianis Hagi went public, a loan exit was completed within days.
In the midst of an injury crisis earlier in the season, the decision appeared strange, and Rangers gain nothing from the loan deal for Ianis Hagi.
Ianis Hagi, who is under contract with the club until 2026, has gone from warming the Rangers bench to playing against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, and it’s no surprise that fans are calling for his recall.
Rangers fans will be keeping an eye on the situation as the season progresses, but for the time being, Ianis Hagi will be playing at Alaves rather than Ibrox.
Despite the Spanish club’s poor league form, some telling statistics show that Ianis Hagi is impressing in La Liga, and perhaps more than just Alaves will be sniffing around before long.
