Steaua București: The Legacy of Romania’s Most Successful Football Club

Steaua București is a name synonymous with football excellence in Romania, being the most successful club in the country’s history. This legendary club earned its place in football history through a unique achievement: it became the only team from a communist country to win the prestigious European Cup, a historic victory in 1986.

The story of the club began in 1947 under the name ASA București, established as part of the sports organization of the Ministry of National Defense. With a rapid rise, the team, later known as CSCA București, claimed its first major victory by winning the Romanian Cup in the 1948–49 season. Under its new name, CCA București, the club continued to dominate the domestic scene, securing consecutive League and Cup doubles in 1951 and 1952, followed by four national titles between 1953 and 1961. Renamed CSA Steaua București in 1961, the team maintained its victorious path, collecting trophies and reaching new heights under coach Ștefan Covaci, including three Romanian Cups and one national title between 1967 and 1971.

The construction of the Ghencea Stadium, with a capacity of 30,000 seats, in 1974 provided the club with a home worthy of its status. With strong leadership and a united team, Steaua reached the peak of European football in the mid-1980s. Under the guidance of coaches Emerich Jenei and Anghel Iordănescu, the team won the national title in the 1984–85 season, setting the stage for their legendary European Cup campaign in 1985–86. In a dramatic final, Steaua defeated Barcelona, winning after a penalty shootout. Their success continued with a victory in the European Super Cup later that year and further impressive runs in the European Cup, including a semifinal appearance in the 1987–88 edition and a final in 1988–89.

The political changes following the fall of communism brought significant changes to the club. The football team separated from CSA Steaua and rebranded as FC Steaua București, later becoming the property of businessman Gigi Becali in 2003. However, this new chapter was not without controversy. A legal dispute over the rights to the name, logo, and titles of Steaua began between Becali and the Ministry of National Defense. This dispute culminated in 2017 when the ministry revived CSA Steaua București, and FC Steaua București changed its name to FC FCSB.

Today, the legacy of Steaua București remains a complex and much-discussed topic. Romanian courts recognize CSA Steaua București as the true successor to the original club, while the Romanian Professional Football League and UEFA continue to associate the name FCSB. Despite these controversies, the illustrious history of the team and its unmatched achievements in Romanian football ensure its enduring place in the hearts of supporters worldwide.

From its roots in the Ministry of National Defense to European glory and current struggles, the journey of Steaua București reflects resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether through CSA Steaua or FCSB, the legacy of this iconic team remains a pillar of Romanian football.