How the great Romanian footballer ended up delivering food through UberEats. “At least if he knew English”

The sweet taste of youth, crowned by success and ovation on the open stage, sometimes ends up turning into a bitter sensation caused by the regret of being born in a time of misery. In such a situation, we can say that there are many Romanian athletes who have achieved remarkable performances throughout their careers in the years 1970-1980. One example is Liță Dumitru, a former Steaua and national team player, who came to earn a living at age 70 by delivering food through UberEats.

How the great Romanian footballer ended up delivering food through UberEats

In an age when many footballers are shoveling money, although they do not stand out with any outstanding performance, some footballers of the old guard struggle to survive from one day to the next. One of them is Liță Dumitru, who can boast of an impressive record in Romanian football.

Ion Dumitru, called Liță, has won two titles with Steaua, a participation in the World Cup in Mexico (1970), 443 games played in the Romanian first division, where he scored 64 goals and was chosen twice by the Romanian player of the year in 1973 and 1975.

He was also selected 57 times in the first team with which he scored 12 goals. In addition, it has four games played in the European Cup, the current Champions League.

In March 2008, the former Steaua player was awarded the Order of “Sporting Merit”, the third category for his performances at the World Cup in Mexico.

What pension does the Romanian state offer Liță Dumitru?

The former midfielder’s trophy case is now just the way he can remember the “standing ovation” moments he had in packed stadiums he played decades ago. Currently, Liță Dumitru is a food supplier, through UberEats, in the United States of America.

He chose the path to the United States in 2017, forced by the financial situation. He receives a pension of 2,200 lei a month from the Romanian state, money that was not enough to support his family. When he left, things worked out very well. He found a job as a coach at a soccer academy in Atlanta, Georgia.

With the onset of the pandemic, the situation changed radically. Without the possibility of working at the Academy, the former Romanian great international was forced to seek other sources of income. So, at the age of 70, he chose to deliver food to the US through Uber Eats. Although he does not know English very well, the former Steaua player does not give up and tries to give his best.

“We are fine, my daughter is in school in the seventh grade, we are both at work, my wife and I. Apart from what I do, I gave private soccer lessons with Romanian and American children, but due to the pandemic I decided not go to football anymore, because it is not allowed. I have a new car, I go to Uber Eats in the morning, I get food from the restaurant and I leave it to people. I can drive. I’m older and I don’t know English, if I only knew I could do something else, but for now I like it. When football starts, I’ll go to football “, explained the former Digi Sport soccer great.