Dan Nistor, the veteran midfielder of Universitatea Cluj, has achieved a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, surpassing Ionel Dănciulescu’s record of 515 appearances in Liga 1. The 38-year-old midfielder reached this feat in a match against FC Botoșani, a game that was played at Sepsi’s stadium in Sfântu Gheorghe due to the UNTOLD festival, which is taking place in Cluj-Napoca from August 6-9.
Nistor’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and perseverance in the sport. Throughout his career, he has played for several teams, including Pandurii Tg. Jiu, Dinamo, and CFR Cluj, before joining Universitatea Cluj in 2022. His impressive statistics speak for themselves, with 68 goals and 103 assists to his name.
The night before the match, Nistor was honored by his peers and fans alike. Ionel Dănciulescu, the former Dinamo striker and current record holder, traveled to Sfântu Gheorghe to congratulate Nistor on his achievement. Dănciulescu presented Nistor with a personalized plaque and a customized ball, bearing his name and the number 515. The two players exchanged hugs and took photos together on the pitch.
Universitatea Cluj also recognized Nistor’s achievement by presenting him with a customized jersey bearing the number 515. This achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the team’s commitment to their players.
As Nistor continues to play, he is now just one game away from becoming the player with the most appearances in Liga 1 history, surpassing Ionel Dănciulescu’s record of 516 games. The next match for Universitatea Cluj is against UTA Arad on August 15, and fans will be watching closely to see if Nistor can make history.
Clasamentul jucătorilor cu cele mai multe prezențe în Liga 1
The current top 10 players with the most appearances in Liga 1 are:
1. Ionel Dănciulescu – 515
2. Dan Nistor – 515
3. Costică Ștefănescu – 490
4. Florea Ispir – 485
5. Ladislau Boloni – 484
6. Costel Câmpeanu – 470
7. Petre Marin – 468
8. Paul Cazan – 465
9. Cornel Dinu – 454
10. Constantin Stancu – 447
Statistically, Nistor’s career is a remarkable one, with 68 goals and 103 assists to his name. His journey in Liga 1 has been a long and winding one, but his dedication and perseverance have earned him a place among the all-time greats.
The Road to 515: Dan Nistor’s Career Highlights
Dan Nistor’s career in Liga 1 has been a storied one, with numerous highlights and achievements. From his early days at Pandurii Tg. Jiu to his stints at Dinamo and CFR Cluj, Nistor has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level.
Here are some of the highlights from Nistor’s career:
* 2010/11: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 26 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
* 2011/12: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 33 appearances, 2 goals, 9 assists
* 2012/13: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 33 appearances, 6 goals, 8 assists
* 2013/14: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 19 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists
* 2014/15: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 31 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists
* 2015/16: Pandurii Tg. Jiu – 35 appearances, 1 goal, 5 assists
* 2016/17: Dinamo – 29 appearances, 3 goals, 4 assists
* 2017/18: CFR Cluj – 17 appearances, 0 goals, 3 assists
* 2017/18: Dinamo – 18 appearances, 1 goal, 7 assists
* 2018/19: Dinamo – 32 appearances, 4 goals, 13 assists
* 2019/20: Dinamo – 16 appearances, 4 goals, 10 assists
* 2019/20: Universitatea Craiova – 13 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
* 2020/21: Universitatea Craiova – 38 appearances, 4 goals, 7 assists
* 2021/22: Universitatea Craiova – 34 appearances, 3 goals, 5 assists
* 2022/23: Universitatea Craiova – 20 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists
* 2022/23: Universitatea Cluj – 12 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
* 2023/24: Universitatea Cluj – 36 appearances, 13 goals, 9 assists
* 2024/25: Universitatea Cluj – 39 appearances, 11 goals, 7 assists
* 2025/26: Universitatea Cluj – 19 appearances, 6 goals, 4 assists
* 2026/27: Universitatea Cluj – 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists (current season)
As Nistor continues to play, his legacy in Liga 1 will only continue to grow. He is an inspiration to young players and a testament to the dedication and perseverance required to succeed at the highest level.
Universitatea Cluj will face UTA Arad on August 15, and fans will be watching closely to see if Nistor can make history and become the player with the most appearances in Liga 1 history.