Yaroslav Rakitsky expresses condolences following the death of Mircea Lucescu

Former Shakhtar Donetsk defender Yaroslav Rakitsky has expressed his condolences following the tragic news of the death of the renowned ex-coach of the Donetsk club, Mircea Lucescu. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Rakitsky conveyed his profound gratitude and respect for the man who played a pivotal role in his career.

“Mister, my most important Mister in life, the most significant and head coach in my career, my dearest mentor, a Great Man, you are part of my family, Mister! I am grateful to you for my football fairy tale and for the opportunity to play under the best coach in the world! For believing in me when it mattered most. For every chance, for every conversation, for every lesson — not only in football but also in life. You will forever be in my heart! Mircea Lucescu, I will miss you. Thank you!” wrote Yaroslav Rakitsky in his post.

Mircea Lucescu, a Romanian coach, led Shakhtar Donetsk from 2004 to 2016. During his tenure, the team played 573 matches and won 22 trophies, including 8 Ukrainian Championship titles, 6 Ukrainian Cups, and 7 Ukrainian Super Cups. One of his greatest achievements was winning the UEFA Cup in 2009, marking the club's first European trophy.

Unfortunately, on March 29, Mircea Lucescu was hospitalized after falling ill during a training camp with the Romanian national team following a 0-1 defeat to Turkey in the playoff qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. On April 2, he stepped down as the head coach of the Romanian team, and on April 3, he suffered an acute myocardial infarction while still in the hospital. Following this, doctors placed him in a medically induced coma due to severe cardiac arrhythmias that were unresponsive to treatment.

During a CT scan, Lucescu was found to have numerous signs of ischemic cerebral strokes and pulmonary thromboembolism, which led to a critical condition. Cardiologist Stefan Busnatu assessed the Romanian coach's condition after the CT scan, noting that several organs — the heart, brain, and lungs — were affected, significantly increasing the risks.

Sadly, today, April 7, news of his death has emerged, causing deep sorrow in the football world and among fans of his talent. Mircea Lucescu leaves behind a vast legacy, and his contributions to the development of Ukrainian football are immeasurable.