‘Football lost a true visionary’: Mkhitaryan pays homage to Mircea Lucescu

Sports10:51, 8 April 2026
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Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan paid tribute to Mircea Lucescu, the Romanian football manager who passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu was the manager of Shakhtar Donetsk when the former Armenian international played there.

“Mister, you were one of my very first coaches – the one who gave me the opportunity to grow and begin my international career. I will forever be thankful to you for giving me the chance to live what I had dreamed about since I was a boy. Thank you for your guidance, your trust, and for helping shape the player and the person I am today. Football has lost a true gentleman and a true visionary of the game. Rest in peace, Mister. You will always hold a very special place in my heart. My heart is crying,” Mkhitaryan said on social media, posting a photo with Lucescu holding his number 22 Shakhtar Donetsk jersey.

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Published by Armenpress, original at 

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/04/09/football-lost-a-true-visionary-mkhitaryan-pays-homage-to-mircea-lucescu/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

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