The 18-year-old Fiorentina starlet admits his famous father has been a big influence on him, but wants to follow the example of the basketball hero
In football, as in life, having a famous father can be both a help and a hindrance. The family name can open doors but also invite unfavourable comparisons. For every Paolo Maldini, there is a Jordi Cruyff.
Ianis Hagi, though, insists that he has long got used to the burden of being the son of the great Gheorghe, the Romanian No.10 who was known as 'The Maradona of the Carpathians'.
"Carrying the surname Hagi on your jersey certainly brings with it a certain pressure," the 18-year-old Ianis admits in an exclusive interview with Goal .