Nicolae Mitea, the Romanian footballer who made a name for himself in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax, has spoken about his incredible journey from Dinamo to the Amsterdam giants. The former international revealed the details of his arrival in the Netherlands and his special bond with the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who took him under his wing during his time at Ajax.
Mitea’s transfer from Dinamo to Ajax in 2003 was a massive cultural and sporting shock for the then 18-year-old. The Romanian star admits that the pressure was so intense in the beginning that he considered giving up and returning to Romania. However, it was the timely intervention of his agent, Giovanni Becali, that saved him from returning home.
“When I look back, the step from Romanian football to Ajax was enormous,” Mitea said in an exclusive interview. “It was a huge step in every aspect – from education to learning the language, to integrating with the team… It was very difficult for me at first. I even told Giovanni that I didn’t think I could stay there because I wasn’t coping from any angle, but he believed in me and helped me to tough it out and move forward.”
Mitea’s first experience with the Ajax dressing room was a daunting one. The young Romanian was emotional, didn’t speak English, and was still a child. However, he slowly began to integrate with his new teammates and eventually became a part of the team. It was during this time that he formed a special bond with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who took him under his wing and became a mentor to him.
“I have beautiful memories of him,” Mitea said with a smile. “He was a funny guy who loved to joke around. He was never downbeat, always had a smile on his face. I have beautiful memories of him. We even went on a trip to Germany together when we had some free time. He was the first person from the dressing room to take me under his wing, apart from Bogdan Lobonț. He was the first to call me over and say, ‘What are you doing?’ and I started talking to him. He told me, ‘Don’t be shy, stay with me, and you’ll get used to it soon.’ And he really helped me to settle in.”
Mitea also revealed that he and Ibrahimovic would often play PlayStation together in the club’s facilities. They would spend their downtime playing video games, having a laugh, and enjoying each other’s company. The Romanian star also joked that he and Nigel de Jong would often compete against each other in PlayStation tournaments, with Nigel emerging as the champion.
When asked if Ibrahimovic had a special way of referring to him, Mitea smiled and said, “He would call me ‘țigănușul meu’ – ‘my little Romani.’ It was a way of showing affection and closeness. I was amazed that he knew some Romanian phrases, but he had learned them from Bogdan Lobonț and Cristi Chivu. It made it easier for me to integrate with him, and he was the first person to reach out to me and offer his support.”
Mitea’s time at Ajax was marked by numerous successes, including two trophies. The Romanian star scored 14 goals in 78 appearances for the Dutch giants before returning to Dinamo in 2008. His journey from Dinamo to Ajax was a remarkable one, and Mitea’s memories of his time in Amsterdam will always be cherished.
As Mitea looks back on his time at Ajax, it’s clear that the experience had a profound impact on his life and career. He will always be grateful to Ibrahimovic for welcoming him into the Ajax family and for being a mentor to him during his formative years in the Dutch Eredivisie.
For Ajax, the signing of Nicolae Mitea in 2003 was a shrewd move, but it was the bond between Mitea and Ibrahimovic that truly made the difference. Their friendship and camaraderie on and off the pitch will always be remembered as one of the most special aspects of Mitea’s time at Ajax.