Cristina Neagu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cristina Neagu |
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Cristina Georgiana Neagu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 26 August 1988 Bucharest, Romania |
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| Nationality | Romanian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Left back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| CSŞ 5 București | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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–2006
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HC Activ Ploiești | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2006–2009
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CS Rulmentul Brașov | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2009–2013
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CS Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2013–2017
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ŽRK Budućnost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2017–2025
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CSM București | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2006–2023
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Romania | 221 | (972) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| 1 National team caps and goals correct as of 4 November 2023 |
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Cristina Georgiana Neagu (born August 26, 1988) is a famous Romanian former professional handball player. Many people consider her the best female handball player of all time.
Cristina Neagu is the only female handball player in history to win the IHF World Player of the Year award four times. She won this top award in 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2018. She also won the EHF Player of the Year award twice, in 2017 and 2018. She was chosen for the All-EHF Champions League All-Star Team seven times.
She is known for scoring many goals. Neagu is the all-time leading goal scorer in the European Women's Handball Championship, with 303 goals. She was the top scorer and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2015 World Women's Handball Championship. She also led in goals in the Women's EHF Champions League in the 2014–15, 2017–18, and 2021–22 seasons.
In 2017, the city of Bucharest made her an "Honorary Citizen."
Contents
Early Life and Handball Start
Cristina Neagu was born in Bucharest, Romania. She grew up in the Ghencea area. She is the youngest of three children.
When she was 12 years old, a middle school coach named Maria Covaci introduced her to handball. This was the beginning of her amazing career.
Cristina Neagu's Professional Handball Career
Cristina Neagu faced some tough injuries during her career. In the 2010–11 season, she hurt her right shoulder. She returned to play in October 2012, after about 1 year and 7 months of recovery.
In January 2013, she got another serious injury. She had surgery on her left knee. She was out of the game for six months.
Comeback and Major Wins
After almost two and a half years of dealing with injuries, Neagu made a strong comeback. In 2014, she reached the final of the Champions League with her Montenegrin team, Budućnost.
In December 2014, she was named the best left back at the 2014 European Women's Handball Championship. She was also the second-highest goal scorer in that tournament.
In 2015, Neagu won her first Champions League trophy. She was the top goal scorer and was voted the best left back in the competition. She was also named the MVP at the 2015 World Championship, where she scored 63 goals.
Neagu reached the Champions League final three times in total (2010, 2014, and 2015). She was part of the European Championship All-Star Team three times (2010, 2014, and 2016). She won a bronze medal at the 2010 European Women's Handball Championship. She was also the top scorer and had the most assists in that competition.
In 2018, Neagu suffered another injury during a match. She had to have surgery on her right knee.
Cristina Neagu played her final professional match in Bucharest on June 8, 2025. The Romanian president, Nicușor Dan, attended the match and praised her career.
Personal Life
Cristina Neagu is a big fan of football. She supports the local team FCSB and often goes to their matches at the Arena Națională stadium.
Key Achievements and Awards
Cristina Neagu has won many awards throughout her career, showing she is one of the best handball players ever.
Team Achievements
- Romanian National League:
- Winner: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021, 2023
- Romanian Cup:
- Winner: 2011, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
- Montenegrin Championship:
- Winner: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- EHF Champions League:
- Winner: 2015
- Finalist: 2010, 2014
- World Championship:
- Bronze Medalist: 2015
- European Championship:
- Bronze Medalist: 2010
Individual Awards
- IHF World Player of the Year: 4 times (2010, 2015, 2016, 2018)
- World Championship MVP: 2015
- World Championship Top Scorer: 2015
- EHF Player of the Year: 2 times (2017, 2018)
- European Championship All-Time Top Scorer (303 goals)
- European Championship Top Scorer: 2010
- Champions League Top Scorer: 3 times (2015, 2018, 2022)
- Champions League All-Star Team Left Back: 7 times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- Romanian Player of the Year: 6 times (2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
See also
In Spanish: Cristina Neagu para niños
