:Ilie Balaci

Ilie Balaci was a product of Universitatea Craiova's youth system, where he started to play football at age 9.{{RomanianSoccer|132/ilie-balaci}}{{cite web | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/sport/fotbal/ilie-balaci-un-fotbalist-de-exceptie-date-biografice-1017347 | title=Ilie Balaci, un fotbalist de excepție. Cum a ajuns să aibă două date de naștere| publisher=Digi24.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Balaci, an exceptional football player. How he came to have two birth dates| date=21 October 2018 | access-date=28 June 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/cum-a-ratat-marele-ilie-balaci-transferul-la-ac-milan-si-modul-in-care-a-fost-amenintat-de-securitate-975871 | title=Cum a ratat marele Ilie Balaci transferul la AC Milan și modul în care a fost amenințat de Securitate| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=How the great Ilie Balaci missed the transfer to AC Milan and how he was threatened by the Securitate| date=27 December 2020 | access-date=28 June 2022}} He made his Divizia A debut on 12 August 1973, when Universitatea's coach Constantin Cernăianu used him as a starter in a 1–1 against Jiul Petroșani at the age of 16, then on 25 November he scored his first goal when he opened the score after 40 seconds, defeating goalkeeper Vasile Stan with a 25 meters shot in an eventual 2–1 loss in front of Nicolae Dobrin's Argeș Pitești, managing to win the league title in his first season, contributing with three goals scored in 27 appearances.{{cite web | url=http://cronicavj.ro/wp/special-povestea-lui-ilie-balaci-a-inceput-la-petrosani/ | title=Povestea lui Ilie Balaci a inceput la Petrosani| publisher=Cronicavj.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Balaci's story began in Petrosani| date=11 September 2016 | access-date=28 June 2022}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-ro/gsp-special/retro-gsp-ilie-balaci-universitatea-craiova-debut-707675.html | title=50 de ani de la debutul lui Balaci. Cele mai frumoase texte despre "Minunea Blondă", scrise de un mare dinamovist: "Când șutează Ilie, Dobrin face icter mecanic şi bate acatiste!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=50 years since Balaci's debut. The most beautiful texts about the "Blonde Miracle", written by a great Dinamo fan: "When Ilie shoots, Dobrin gets mechanical jaundice and beats akathiste!"| date=12 August 2023 | access-date=13 August 2023}}
{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-o-jumatate-de-veac-de-la-debutul-lui-balaci-in-prima-liga-27809 | title=O jumătate de veac de la debutul lui Balaci în prima ligă| publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Half a century since Balaci's debut in the first league| date=12 August 2023 | access-date=13 August 2023}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/tragedie/amintire-impresionanta-ilie-balaci-a-reusit-cel-mai-rapid-gol-al-craiovei-chiar-impotriva-echipei-lui-dobrin-nu-am-vazut-nimic-nici-cine-a-sutat-nici-minge-nici-nimic-551370.html | title=Amintire impresionantă. Ilie Balaci a reușit cel mai rapid gol al Craiovei, chiar împotriva echipei lui Dobrin: "Nu am văzut nimic, nici cine a șutat, nici minge, nici nimic"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Impressive memory. Ilie Balaci scored Craiova's fastest goal, even against Dobrin's team: "I didn't see anything, neither who shot, nor the ball, nor anything"| date=23 October 2018 | access-date=9 September 2024}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/fc-arges-craiova-imagine-emotionanta-cu-balaci-si-dobrin-cine-i-asta-zau-ca-nu-stiu-611252.html | title=Imaginea emoționantă postată de olteni înaintea meciului: "Cine-i ăsta?" / "Zău că nu știu"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The emotional image posted by Olteni before the match: "Who is this guy?" / "I really don't know"| date=25 September 2020 | access-date=9 September 2024}}

File:Ilie Balaci 2.jpg

Balaci went on to play twelve seasons with Universitatea Craiova, being part of the "Craiova Maxima" generation, helping them win two consecutive league titles in 1980 and 1981, at the first he contributed with 29 appearances and six goals and at the second with 29 appearances and 12 goals. He also won the Cupa României four times, in the years 1977 in which he opened the score in the final which ended 2–1 against Steaua București, 1978, 1981 in which he scored the first two goals in the 6–0 final against Politehnica Timișoara and 1983.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1976_1977.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1976–1977|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=3 August 2022}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/1980_1981.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 1980–1981|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=3 August 2022}}

Balaci played 35 games and scored seven goals for "U" Craiova in European competitions, being an integral part of the team that reached the 1982–83 UEFA Cup semi-finals, appearing in seven matches in the campaign, scoring three goals against Shamrock Rovers, Fiorentina and one from a free kick in the second leg of the semi-final against Benfica, as the team got eliminated after 1–1 on aggregate on the away goal rule.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/tragedie/10-momente-memorabile-din-cariera-lui-ilie-balaci-de-la-meciul-cu-argentina-la-golurile-legendare-in-europa-551177.html | title=10 momente memorabile din cariera lui Ilie Balaci: de la meciul cu Argentina la golurile legendare în Europa| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=10 memorable moments from Ilie Balaci's career: from the match with Argentina to the legendary goals in Europe| date=21 October 2018 | access-date=14 September 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www.playsport.ro/exclusiv-dezvaluiri-explozive-despre-cum-i-a-luat-nationala-calificarea-craiovei-in-finala-cupei-uefa-s-au-facut-multe-greseli-dupa-romania-italia-28205 | title=EXCLUSIV. Dezvăluiri explozive despre cum "i-a luat" naționala calificarea Craiovei Maxima în finala Cupei UEFA : "S-au făcut multe greșeli după România-Italia"| publisher=Playsport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=EXCLUSIVE. Explosive revelations about how the national team "took away" Craiova Maxima's qualification for the UEFA Cup final: "Many mistakes were made after Romania-Italy"| date=20 April 2021 | access-date=14 September 2022}}

In December 1982, he signed a pre-contract with Italian side AC Milan, but the transfer did not materialize because Romania's communist regime did not allow it.{{cite news |url=http://www.adevarul.ro/sport/fotbal_intern/Comunistii_au_blocat_transferurile_romanilor_0_590341307.html |work=Adevărul |last=Drăguț|first=Radu|language= Romanian|date=14 November 2011 |access-date= 16 December 2011|title=Comuniştii au blocat transferurile românilor}} On 21 February 1984 in a FC Baia Mare – "U" Craiova Divizia A match, Baia Mare's defender Grigore Arezanov gave a hard tackle with both feet on Balaci's leg which caused him an injury from which he never completely recovered.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/tragedie/omul-care-i-a-incheiat-cariera-prematur-lui-ilie-balaci-la-27-de-ani-scrisoare-zguduitoare-multa-vreme-am-simtit-c-o-iau-razna-551180.html | title=Omul care i-a încheiat cariera prematur lui Ilie Balaci, la 27 de ani, scrisoare zguduitoare: "Multă vreme am simțit c-o iau razna"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The man who ended his career prematurely to Ilie Balaci, at the age of 27, a shocking letter: "For a long time I felt like I was going crazy"| date=21 October 2018| access-date=28 June 2022}}

File:Nicolae Dobrin and Ilie Balaci.JPG}}]]

In the middle of the 1984–85 season, Balaci transferred from Universitatea Craiova to Olt Scornicești and after one season and a half with 30 Divizia A appearances in which he scored seven goals, he switched teams again going in the 1986–87 season at Dinamo București.{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/sport-life/mircea-lucescu-noi-dezvaluiri-din-perioada-comunista-de-ce-i-a-adus-la-dinamo-pe-ilie-balaci-si-rodion-camataru-si-cum-a-ajuns-echipa-militiei-mai-iubita-decat-steaua-19027078 | title=Mircea Lucescu, noi dezvăluiri din perioada comunistă. De ce i-a adus la Dinamo pe Ilie Balaci și Rodion Cămătaru și cum a ajuns echipa miliției mai iubită decât Steaua| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Mircea Lucescu, new revelations from the communist period. Why he brought Ilie Balaci and Rodion Cămătaru to Dinamo and how he became the most beloved militia team than Steaua| date=13 May 2020 | access-date=28 June 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/locale/slatina/viata-ilie-balaci-fc-scornicesti-a-fost-umilinta-el-fel-ce-am-fost-craiova-ce-am-ajuns-1_5bcd972bdf52022f75bf7a64/index.html | title=Viaţa lui Ilie Balaci la FC Scorniceşti: "A fost o umilinţă pentru el, un fel de "ce-am fost eu pentru Craiova şi ce-am ajuns""| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Balaci's life at FC Scorniceşti: "It was a humiliation for him, a kind of «what I was for Craiova and what I became»"| date=22 October 2018 | access-date=28 June 2022}} He spent two seasons at Dinamo, under the leadership of Mircea Lucescu, appearing in 32 Divizia A games in which he scored one goal, also making three appearances in European competitions.{{cite news |title=Ilie Balaci a murit. Lumea fotbalului îl omagiază pe Ilie Balaci: "Odihneşte-te în pace, iubită legendă!".|trans-title=Ilie Balaci died. The world of football pays tribute to Ilie Balaci: "Rest in peace, beloved legend!".|url=https://a1.ro/news/sport/ilie-balaci-a-murit-lumea-fotbalului-il-omagiaza-pe-ilie-balaci-id811745.html |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher=A1.ro}} However, Balaci did not win any major trophies whilst he was playing for Dinamo and he went as a player-coach for two years in the second league, after which he ended his playing career.{{cite web| url=https://www.fanatik.ro/ilie-balaci-antrenor-palmares-18628405| title=Antrenorul Ilie Balaci: exilat din fotbalul românesc, deschizător de drumuri în lumea arabă| publisher=Fanatik.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Coach Ilie Balaci: exiled from Romanian football, pioneer in the Arab world| date=21 October 2018| access-date=20 December 2020}}{{cite news |title=Experienced Balaci on a mission to transform Al Suwaiq |url=http://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/experienced-balaci-on-a-mission-to-transform-al-suwaiq |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher=The-afc.com}} During his whole career, Balaci played 347 Divizia A matches in which he scored 84 goals and he was the Romanian Footballer of the Year in 1981 and 1982.

Balaci had a total of 65 games and 8 goals scored at international level for the Romania national team making his debut on 23 March 1974 at the age of 17 under coach Valentin Stănescu in a friendly against France which ended with a 1–0 loss.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=1123|title=Ilie Balaci|publisher=European Football|access-date=20 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=12107|title=France - Romania 1:0|publisher=European Football|access-date=20 December 2020}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/balaci-intl.html|work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|date= 26 April 2009|access-date=19 March 2010 |title=Ilie Balaci, International Appearances}} He played three games at the Euro 1976 qualifiers and scored his first goal for the national team at age 20 in a friendly which ended with a 3–2 loss against Czechoslovakia. He played one game at the 1973–76 Balkan Cup, five games in which he scored one goal at the 1977–80 Balkan Cup, three games at the 1978 World Cup qualifiers, two at the Euro 1980 qualifiers and seven games with one goal scored at the 1982 World Cup qualifiers.

File:1970 World Cup Romania Squad.jpg in Naples, Italy, February 1980.}}]]

He also became captain of the national team during the successful Euro 1984 qualifiers where he played six games, including a praised performance in Romania's 1–0 victory against World Cup holders, Italy in which he gave the assist to László Bölöni's goal, exposed his dribbling abilities and had a good performance against his direct opponent Claudio Gentile.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/gsp-special/ideile-gazetei/istoria-la-raport-episodul-2-romania-italia-1-0-1983-balaci-660781.html | title=Episodul 2: România - Italia 1-0, în preliminariile pentru CE '84. Am răpus Italia cu un Balaci fenomenal: 5-0 cu Gentile, 8-3 cu Bruno Conti

| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Episode 2: Romania - Italy 1-0, in the preliminaries for CE '84 »I defeated Italy with a phenomenal Balaci: 5-0 with Gentile, 8-3 with Bruno Conti| date=15 April 2022 | access-date=28 June 2022}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/nationala/ziua-in-care-am-rapus-stapana-lumii-special-19637012 | title=Ziua în care am răpus stăpâna lumii!| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The day we defeated the champions of the world!| date=16 April 2023 | access-date=16 April 2023}}
{{cite web | url=https://welovesport.ro/stiri/fotbal-vintage-cum-s-a-pacalit-bearzot-la-timisoara-26197 | title=Cum s-a păcălit Bearzot la Timișoara| publisher=Welovesport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=How Bearzot was fooled in Timișoara| date=16 April 2023 | access-date=16 April 2023}} However coach Mircea Lucescu could not select him in the squad for the final tournament due to the injury he got in a Divizia A match from Grigore Arezanov.{{cite news |title=Ilie Balaci și cea mai tristă noapte: cum a aflat că nu va juca la EURO 1984. "Nici nu mi s-a explicat"|trans-title=Ilie Balaci and the saddest night: how he found out that he would not play at EURO 1984. "It wasn't even explained to me" |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/sport/ilie-balaci-cea-mai-trista-noapte-aflat-nu-juca-euro-1984-nici-nu-s-a-explicat-1_5bcc402fdf52022f75b71695/index.html |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher=Adevarul.ro |language=en}} He played one game at the 1986 World Cup qualifiers and made his last appearance for the national team on 10 September 1986 in a 4–0 victory against Austria at the Euro 1988 qualifiers.

For helping his country qualify at Euro 1984, Balaci was decorated by President of Romania Traian Băsescu on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III.{{cite web |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Monitorul_Oficial_al_Rom%C3%A2niei._Partea_I_2008-03-28%2C_nr._241.pdf |title=DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv |publisher=Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241 |date=28 March 2008 |page=3 |access-date= 26 September 2022}}{{cite web |url=http://old.presidency.ro/index.php?_RID=det&tb=date_arhiva&id=10313&_PRID=arh |title=Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc |publisher=Administrația Prezidențială |date=25 March 2008 |access-date=26 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172620/http://old.presidency.ro/index.php?_RID=det&tb=date_arhiva&id=10313&_PRID=arh |url-status=dead }}

After retiring as a footballer, Balaci went on to coach lower league sides Pandurii Târgu Jiu and Drobeta-Turnu Severin. In 1991, he coached clubs in North Africa and the Arab world, he became one of the most successful managers there having won over 22 major trophies domestic and international.{{cite news |url=http://www.aujourdhui.ma/sports-details83421.html |work=Aujourd'hui Le Maroc |language=French |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=17 November 2011 |title=Le Roumain Ilie Balaci à la tête du Raja de Casablanca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714231627/http://www.aujourdhui.ma/sports-details83421.html |archive-date=14 July 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1267227-ilie-balaci-castigat-cupa-presedintelui.htm |work=gardianul.ro|language= Romanian |date= 4 June 2004 |access-date=21 April 2010 |title=Ilie Balaci a castigat Cupa Presedintelui}}{{cite news |url=http://www.gds.ro/Sport/2004-04-23/Balaci+tinteste+inca+un+trofeu |work=Gazeta de Sud |language=Romanian |date= 23 April 2004 |access-date=4 May 2010 |title=Balaci tinteste inca un trofeu}}

He took charge of Tunisia's Club Africain and Moroccan club Olympique Casablanca in the early 1990s guiding them to their first African Champions League, the league title and the Tunis Cup. He then managed UAE, Qatari and Saudi Arabian clubs Al Shabab, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ain and Al Sadd winning the championship and domestic cup with each side.{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/ilie-balaci-all-set-to-sign-with-al-ahli-1.358286 |work=gulfnews.com |date=7 June 2003 |access-date= 21 August 2010|title=Ilie Balaci all set to sign with Al Ahli}}{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=506/index.html |work=FIFA.com |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=11 December 2010 |title=Al Nasr, the Saudi vanguard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222184322/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club%3D506/index.html |archive-date=22 December 2010}} At the beginning of the 1998–99 Divizia A season, Balaci was put in charge of Universitatea Craiova but after a 1–0 loss against Oțelul Galați in the 7th round, he lost his temper and threw a pair of football shoes in referees Aron Huzu's head for which he received a one year suspension, after which he decided to resign. In the second half of the 2000–01 Divizia A season, Balaci returned to Universitatea Craiova but his second spell lasted only a month. In June 2003, he was appointed manager of Al Ahli until January 2005, where he won the UAE President's Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.gds.ro/Sport/2005-01-20/%E2%80%9EMeseria+mea+este+de+antrenor%E2%80%9C|work=Gazeta de Sud|language=Romanian|date=20 January 2005|access-date=25 September 2010|title=Meseria mea este de antrenor|archive-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108004118/http://www.gds.ro/Sport/2005-01-20/%E2%80%9EMeseria+mea+este+de+antrenor%E2%80%9C/|url-status=dead}} He then went on to join Qatari side Al-Arabi in the 2005–06 season, before moving to the United Arab Emirates club Al Shabab for a second spell, but without success.{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/my-players-showed-the-right-character-balaci-1.259140 |work=gulfnews.com |date=4 October 2006 |access-date= 27 February 2010|title=My players showed the right character}} In August 2007, Balaci was hired as general manager of Universitatea Craiova whom he also coached in two periods, and remained there for two seasons. On 22 July 2009, Balaci was named head coach of Kuwait club Kazma. He had an impressive start with the Kuwaiti side at the 2010 AFC Cup.{{cite news |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-cup-2009-previous-competitions/afc-cup-2010/27743-kazma-v-al-ahed-reaction |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913041240/http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-cup-2009-previous-competitions/afc-cup-2010/27743-kazma-v-al-ahed-reaction |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |work=the-afc.com |date=17 March 2010 |access-date=20 March 2010 |title=That's the spirit, beams Balaci }}

On 11 July 2011, he returned to Morocco signing for Raja Casablanca but was sacked following a financial dispute with the club in September after just two months. Raja appointed Bertrand Marchand as his replacement.{{cite news |url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes/Football/breves2011/20110925_204112_marchand-nouvel-entraineur.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128202220/http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes/Football/breves2011/20110925_204112_marchand-nouvel-entraineur.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2012 |work=L'Équipe|language= French |date=25 September 2011 |access-date= 26 September 2011|title=Marchand nouvel entraîneur}}

On 4 June 2013, Balaci signed a contract with newly promoted Saudi Premier League side Al-Nahda saving the club from relegation.{{cite news |url=http://en.stc-sports.com/football/league=saudiarabia-proleague/news/news=ilie-balaci-new-coach-nahdha.html |work=stc-sports.com |date=4 June 2013 |access-date=10 June 2013 |title=Ilie Balaci, new coach of Al Nahdha |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212193354/http://en.stc-sports.com/football/league=saudiarabia-proleague/news/news=ilie-balaci-new-coach-nahdha.html |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} In September 2013, he was sacked as coach due to a poor start to the season with only one point from the first four matches.{{cite news |title=Un antrenor român a luat 800.000 $ pentru 1 punct! • Fanatik.ro |url=https://www.fanatik.ro/balaci-dat-afara-de-arabi-romanul-incasat-o-avere-patru-luni-14485452 |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=Fanatik.ro |date=26 September 2013 |language=ro-RO}}

In April 2016, he took over the head coach position at Omdurman-based club Al-Hilal.{{cite news|url=http://alhilal-sd.net/?p=14861|work=Al-Hilal Omdurman|date=20 April 2016|access-date=5 May 2016|script-title=ar:الهلال يتعاقد رسميا مع بلاتشي|language=Arabic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815163718/http://alhilal-sd.net/?p=14861|archive-date=15 August 2016}} Balaci was sacked in September 2016 after the team clinched the title with three games left to play. Balaci thought that the club's owners did not want the title win associated with his name.{{cite news |title="Minunea blondă", peripeţii în Sudan. Ajuns în Africa, Ilie Balaci a fost dat afară când se pregătea să câştige campionatul pentru a nu încasa prima de titlu. Reacţia fostului mare fotbalist |url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-extern/stranieri/minunea-blonda-peripetii-in-sudan-ajuns-in-africa-ilie-balaci-a-fost-dat-afara-cand-se-pregatea-sa-castige-campionatul-pentru-a-nu-incasa-prima-de-titlu-reactia-fostului-mare-fotbalist-15831667 |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=ProSport}}

In July 2017, Balaci was unveiled as the new manager of Omani side Al-Suwaiq. Although the team was assured of top of the championship with 38 points from 15 games Balaci decided to terminate his contract in March 2018 with 12 games left on the season.{{cite news |title=Ilie Balaci s-a despărțit de Al-Suwaiq, deși era lider detașat în Oman |url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/stranieri/ilie-balaci-s-a-despartit-de-al-suwaiq-desi-era-lider-detasat-in-oman-535757.html |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=GSP |language=ro}}

Balaci said that he was born on 8 September 1956 but his birth date was declared by his relatives to the People's Council only on 13 September 1956.{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/news/sport/ilie-balaci-antrenor-fost-fotbalist-la-10-ani-jucam-fotbal-bani-1_5346a88f0d133766a8aa7032/index.html|title=Ilie Balaci, antrenor şi fost fotbalist: 'La 10 ani jucam fotbal pe bani'|work=Adevărul|date=12 April 2014 |language=Romanian |trans-title=Ilie Balaci, coach and former footballer: "At 10 I was playing football for money"|access-date= 24 October 2017}} He had two daughters; the older one Lorena was married to footballer Eugen Trică and is divorced since 2015,[https://spynews.ro/sport/fotbal-intern/foto-eugen-trica-sprijinul-lorenei-la-inmormantarea-lui-ilie-balaci-cei-doi-au-divortat-de-trei-ani-179458.html Eugen Trică, sprijinul Lorenei, la înmormântarea lui Ilie Balaci. Cei doi au divorţat de trei ani!], spynews.ro, 23 October 2018 and the younger one, Liana Ungur is a professional tennis player and she is married to Adrian Ungur.{{cite web|url=http://www.wowbiz.ro/liana-este-fiica-mai-mica-a-lui-ilie-balaci--casatorita-cu-adrian-ungur--ea-este-cea-care-a-dus-traditia-familiei-mai-departe--practicand-sport-de-per_51215.html|title=Liana, fata cea mica a lui Ilie Balaci, duce mai departe traditia sportiva a familiei!|date=30 April 2013 |publisher=wowbiz.ro|language=Romanian |trans-title=Liana, the little girl of Ilie Balaci, carries on the sporting tradition of the family!|access-date= 24 October 2017}}

Balaci died on 21 October 2018, aged 62, while at home in Craiova with his mother. The cause of death was myocardial infarction.{{cite web|url=http://www.gds.ro/Sport/2018-10-21/fotbal-exclusiv-ilie-balaci,-in-stare-grava-medicii-il-resusciteaza-de-minute-bune/|title=Zi neagră în Bănie: Ilie Balaci a decedat!|work=Gazeta de Sud|date=21 October 2018 |language=Romanian|trans-title=Black day in Bănie: Ilie Balaci passed away|access-date= 21 October 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.digisport.ro/special/peste-200-de-oameni-la-funeraliile-lui-ilie-balaci-cand-ii-pot-aduce-fanii-un-ultim-omagiu-inainte-de-inmormantare-543370

|work=Digi Sport|date= 22 October 2018|access-date=22 October 2018 |title=Sute de oameni au venit să-i aducă un ultim omagiu lui Ilie Balaci, înainte de înmormântare|language=Romanian}}

:Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Balaci goal.

Universitatea Craiova

• Divizia A: 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81
• Cupa României: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1982–83

Romania

• Balkan Cup: 1977–80

• Romanian Footballer of the Year: 1981, 1982

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{NFT|17602}}
• {{WorldFootball|ilie-balaci}}
• [http://www.cafonline.com/competition/champions-league_2010/news/10704-raja-hope-to-make-the-most-of-chances-against-hilal—ilie-balacio.html Ilie Balaci Interview] at cafonline.com

{{Romanian Footballer of the Year}}

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