| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 December 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Anina, Romania | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Left winger Attacking midfielder |
||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984–1989 | Minerul Anina | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1989–1989 | CSM Reşiţa | ||
| 1989–1991 | Politehnica Timişoara | 65 | (19) |
| 1991–1994 | FC Porto | 69 | (25) |
| 1994–2000 | Boavista | 146 | (37) |
| National team | |||
| 1991–1995 | Romania | 10 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Ion Timofte (born 16 December 1967) is a retired Romanian footballer who played as attacking midfielder or left winger. He is widely considered to have been the best player in Boavista F.C.'s centenary history.
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Timofte was born in Anina, and made his first football steps in his hometown club Minerul Anina before moving to lower league side CSM Reşiţa. He debuted in Divizia A with Politehnica Timişoara in 1989, and spent there two seasons, Timofte quickly became a key player for Timişoara, chipping in with goals and assists. He played a big role in Timişoara's win over Atlético Madrid in their UEFA Cup campaign in 1990–91. His impressive displays there caught the attention of Portuguese club FC Porto who signed him immediately.
In July 1991, Timofte officially signed for The Dragons and was one of the main pillars of Porto's midfield, which dominated the Portuguese Liga for two consecutive years.[1] Carlos Alberto Silva, then manager of Porto, gave him his league debut away at Estoril Praia on 24 August 1991, scoring his first goal in a 2–0 win.[2] Timofte would play three seasons for the Portuguese club winning the league in 1992 and 1993. He quickly showed his immense value and scored vital goals in those campaigns. He pointed out two decisive goals against derby rivals Benfica in their 1–0 and 3–2 victories in O Clássico.[1] However, his relationship with the President deteriorated rapidly, and he left the club in 1994.
The Romanian playmaker decided to join the bitter rivals, Boavista.
Timofte was received with the greatest of expectations but he did not fail to deliver as his nickname, O Deus Romeno (The Romanian God) testifies. He played for Boavista during six successful seasons[3] and in his new home he found a new tactical system that would allow him to release all his might. Boavista played with two defensive midfielders covering the spaces behind him and allowing great freedom for the skilful man.
For half dozen years, the Romanian genius spread his art and lead Boavista to an era of success. His left foot was of such an unparalleled trickery, precision and power that he soon became one of the most admired and feared players in the Portuguese Liga. As Timofte represented the black and white colours, a whole generation of youthful supporters grew trying to reproduce their hero's magic.
Timofte had his best season in 1998–99 after the arrival of the new manager, Jaime Pacheco. In that season he commanded an impressive team with players like Litos, Paulo Jorge Sousa, Erwin Sánchez, Jorge Couto or Rui Bento to a surprising title challenge. The season was marked by historical victories over Boavista's main rivals, Porto and Benfica, in their own stadiums. The number 7 was instrumental in their 3–0 away win against Benfica but it was his match against FC Porto that would change the season and live forever in the collective memory of his club. The derby was played early on the season and won with a 2–0 result of which Timofte scored the first goal with a thundering shot, stroke 40m away from goal. That was his greatest goal and one work of art that would catapult Boavista. The title challenge was only halted by the polemic refereeing in two matches drawn by Boavista at Chaves and Farense. In duels surrounded by controversy, the "Axadrezados" would have, respectively, two and three players sent off. Timofte was one of the players to see the red card against Chaves and that was to be his only order to leave the pitch in his marvellous career. The two draws proved to be fatal, Boavista lost the deserved title to Porto, and that honour was snapped from the player who most deserved it.
The next season would be the last opportunity to witness Timofte's talent. It began with the qualifier for the Champions League against Danish champions, Brøndby. Timofte played both matches and made an outstanding assist in Boavista's away victory 2–1 in the first leg. The second leg would be the most extraordinary match in club's history until then. A late dramatic goal gave Brøndby a 2–1 victory and sent the tie to extra-time but those crucial 30 minutes saw Boavista scoring three goals to book its first present in Europe's most important club competition. Timofte would be injured for most part of the season but he still managed to score a goal in the 1–1 drawn against Feyenoord in Rotterdam. In the last day of that season, Timofte played its final match against Braga. In the most deeply touched atmosphere, Boavista supporters said farewell to their eternal number 7. The most extraordinary player in their History was no more but the love for the club survived in Timofte's heart.
After his retirement, as prove of his love for the club, Timofte opened a restaurant and a hotel in his hometown, Timişoara, both called Boavista.[4]
In 18 May 2001, Timofte flew all the way back from Timişoara to Oporto to witness his beloved club clinch its first national title. At last, he was able to celebrate in the stands the honour he so much deserved to have received in the pitch.
He made his debut for the Romanian national team in 1991 against Switzerland. He got his last cap in 1995, bringing the total tally to 10 caps and 1 goal.[3] He scored his only goal for Romania in a friendly away match led by coach Mircea Rădulescu on 17 April 1991 in a 2–0 win against Spain. In an age when football globalisation was only starting, Romanian coach Anghel Iordănescu, unaware of Timofte's achievements, dropped the star in favour of players such as Adrian Ilie, Constantin Gâlcă and Ilie Dumitrescu.