FCSB

History

Main article: History of FC Steaua București

1947–1949: Foundation and early years

ASA București (Asociația Sportivă a Armatei București – "Army Sports Association") was founded on 7 June 1947 at the initiative of several officers of the Romanian Royal House. The establishment took place following a decree signed by General Mihail Lascăr, High Commander of the Romanian Royal Army. It was formed as a sports society with seven initial sections, including football, coached by Coloman Braun-Bogdan. The decision had been adopted on the ground that several officers were already playing for different teams, which was premise to a good nucleus for forming a future competitive team.

With this squad, Coloman Braun-Bogdan, the first coach in the club's history, went to a sustained training camp in the mountain resort of Sinaia. Although shirts, boots and balls were missing, atmosphere inside the team was rather optimistic. Thanks to sustained efforts, in the shortest time possible, the club soon acquired the first training suits, navy green, duck material of, and the first shirts, blue. The big surprise, however, were the 40 pairs of boots the club had purchased for the 20 selected players. ASA was renamed CSCA (Clubul Sportiv Central al Armatei – "Central Sports Club of the Army") in 1948 and CCA (Casa Centrală a Armatei – "Central House of the Army") in 1950.

1949–1984: CCA Golden Team

In 1949, CSCA won its first trophy, the Cupa României, defeating CSU Cluj 2–1 in the final. Under the name of CCA, the club managed to win three Championship titles in a row in 1951, 1952 and 1953, along with its first Championship–Cup double in 1951. During the 1950s, the so-called "CCA Golden Team" became nationally famous. In 1956, the Romania national team (composed exclusively of CCA players) played Yugoslavia in Belgrade and won 1–0. In the same year, CCA, coached by Ilie Savu, became the first Romanian team to participate in a tournament in England, where it achieved noteworthy results against the likes of Luton Town, Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers. After CCA won the 1959–60 title, they were supposed to play in the 1960–61 European Cup against Spartak Hradec Králové who was the champion of Czechoslovakia, but as Romania's national team lost with 5–0 on aggregate against Czechoslovakia in the 1960 European Nations' Cup quarter-finals, when the communist authorities saw that Steaua had to play with the champion of Czechoslovakia in the European Cup, they withdrew the team from the competition, fearing a shameful elimination in front of the Czechoslovakians.[[File:Steaua si Cupa Campionilor Europeni.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Steaua București squad with the UEFA European Champions Clubs' Cup in 1986.]]At the end of 1961, CCA changed its name once again to CSA Steaua București (Clubul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua – "Army Sports Club Steaua"). The club's new name translated to The Star and was adopted because of the presence of a red star, a symbol of most East European Army clubs, on its crest. A poor period of almost two decades followed in which the club claimed only three championships (1967–68, 1975–76, 1977–78). Instead, the team won nine national cup trophies, for which matter it gained the nickname of "cup specialists".{{cite news | access-date = 27 August 2007 | archive-date = 28 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104653/http://www.fcsteaua.ro/index/section/articles/article/3562 | url-status = live | access-date = 10 June 2007 | archive-date = 1 July 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070701082655/http://www.stadiumguide.com/ghencea.htm | url-status = live

1984–1990: Champions of Europe

Under the leadership of coaches Emerich Jenei and Anghel Iordănescu, Steaua had an impressive Championship run in the 1984–85 season, which they eventually won after a six-year break. What followed was an absolutely astonishing European Cup season. After eliminating Vejle, Honvéd, Kuusysi Lahti and Anderlecht, they were the first ever Romanian team to make it to a European Cup final. At the final, played on 7 May 1986 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Spanish champions Barcelona were clear favourites, but after a goalless draw, legendary goalkeeper Helmut Duckadam saved all four penalties taken by the Spaniards being the first ever Romanian to reach the Guinness Book for that matter, while Gavril Balint and Marius Lăcătuș converted theirs to make Steaua the first Eastern-European team to conquer the supreme continental trophy.

Gheorghe Hagi, Romanian all-time best footballer, joined the club a few months later, scoring the only goal of the match against Dynamo Kyiv which brought Steaua an additional European Super Cup on 24 February 1987 in Monaco, just two months after having lost the Intercontinental Cup 1–0 to Argentinians River Plate in Tokyo. However, that match was marred with a questionable decision by referee José Martínez when he disallowed a clear goal scored by Miodrag Belodedici.

Surprisingly for those who thought of these performances as an isolated phenomenon, Steaua remained at the top of European football for the rest of the decade, managing one more European Cup semi-final against Benfica (1987–88) and one more European Cup final in 1989, which was lost 4–0 in front of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard's Milan. This happened next to their four additional national titles (1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89) and four national cups (1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89). In addition, from June 1986 to September 1989, Steaua ran a record 104-match undefeated streak in the championship, setting a world record for that time and a European one still standing.

During these last years of the Communist regime in Romania, dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu's son Valentin was involved in the life of the team. Valentin Ceaușescu admitted in a 2023 interview that he had done nothing else than to protect his favourite team from Dinamo's sphere of influence, ensured by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Though contested by some, their five-year winning streak in the championship between 1984–85 and 1988–89 corroborates the notion that the team was really the best during this period.

1990–2002: Post-Revolution era

The Romanian Revolution led the country towards a free open market and, subsequently, several players of the 1980s team left for other clubs in the West. After a short pull-back, a quick recovery followed and Steaua managed a six consecutive championship streak between 1992–93 and 1997–98 to equalize the 1920s performance of Chinezul Timișoara{{cite web | access-date = 7 July 2007 | archive-date = 9 February 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230209160748/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesr/roemchamp.html | url-status = live At international level, the club managed to reach the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals in 1993, when they lost on away goals to Royal Antwerp, and also to make it to the Champions League group stage three years in a row between 1994 and 1995 and 1996–97. In 1998, the football club separated from CSA Steaua and changed its name to FC Steaua București,{{cite news |access-date = 10 June 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183349/http://www.ziua.ro/display.php?id=8354&data=1998-05-29 |archive-date = 30 September 2007 |access-date = 7 July 2007 |archive-date = 8 July 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070708114419/http://www.9am.ro/stiri-revista-presei/Sport/20015/Conducatorii-vor-plati-cu-averea-datoriile-cluburilor |url-status = dead

2002–present: Gigi Becali takeover

In 2003, Becali managed to gain control over the club by turning it from non-profit to a public share company.{{cite web |access-date = 11 June 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155856/http://www.evenimentul.ro/articol/planurile-lui-becali.html |archive-date = 30 September 2007 |url-status = dead |access-date = 7 July 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928024410/http://www.realitatearomaneasca.ro/content.php?c=articole&id_categorie=12&articol_id=1681&p=9&article=suporterii+echipei+steaua+au+protestat+impotriva+patronului+clubului |archive-date = 28 September 2007 |url-status = dead | access-date = 2 November 2017 | archive-date = 28 October 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221028115049/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/racist-sexist-and-an-mp-meet-gigi-becali-the-owner-of-steaua-bucharest-8523542.html | url-status = live | access-date = 7 July 2007 | archive-date = 27 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081227031406/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1166529-steaua_cucerit_50_lea_trofeu_din_istoria_clubului.htm | url-status = live In 2013, Steaua won its 24th national title, and also subsequently reached the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League group stage. It repeated the former performance in each of the next two years, being awarded the championship in 2014 and 2015.

After the Ministry of National Defense sued the club, claiming that the Romanian Army were the rightful owners of the Steaua logo, colours, honours and name, the Executive Committee of the Romanian Football Federation approved an application to modify the name of the club from "FC Steaua București" to "FC FCSB" on 30 March 2017, following more judiciary sentences. CSA Steaua București had previously announced they would refound their football department as CSA Steaua București in the summer of the same year. However, owner Becali announced that his team would retain the original honours and UEFA coefficient, and was also hopeful of recovering the name in the near future.

Between 2016 and 2019, FCSB finished each time as runners-up in the league, thus becoming the first club in Romania to do so for four consecutive years. On 5 July 2019, yet another unfavorable ruling was handed out against the team. According to it, CSA Steaua would be the rightful entity to assert the honors up until 2003, however, the decision is not definitive.

In November 2024, CSA announced its intention to sue two soccer VIPs for continuing to claim that FCSB=Steaua, accusing them of violating court verdicts, and producing financial damages. noticed that the verdict about the records or the verdict about the trademark impose no obligations upon third parties.

The verdict about the records remained final in 2025. Odd enough, both sides to the trial claimed victory .

It has also been mentioned that civil law arguments might not be decisive in respect to getting the records recognized by the Romanian Football Federation, UEFA, and FIFA, because they all base their decisions upon the continuity of the team.

Becali stated in a broadcast that FCSB had no real reason to file a recourse, and that the fact that it filed a recourse was a cunning ploy to prevent the CSA from filing a recourse. Becali stated that he was perfectly satisfied with the verdict of the Court of Appeal, therefore the loss of the recourse did not constitute any damage for FCSB.

ESPN reported at the end of 2025 that the identity of the club is murky or lost, it also mentioned that for Dinamo Bucharest there are three clubs which pretend to be the real Dinamo.

Crest and colours

Crests

During its first season, 1947–48, Steaua wore yellow and red striped shirts with blue shorts, to symbolize Romania's tricolor flag.{{cite web |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723133616/http://www.fcsteaua.ro/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t5171.htm |archive-date = 23 July 2011

As communists assumed total control of the country on 30 December 1947,{{cite news |access-date=2007-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025165044/http://www.cs.kent.edu/~amarcus/Mihai/romanian/diverse/mirceaionitiu.html |archive-date=25 October 2012

Following the Romanian Revolution, the Army decided to break all links to the defunct communist regime, so, in 1991, CSA Steaua had a last change of crest with an eagle also present on the Ministry of Defence coat of arms and also on Romania's. As FC Steaua appeared in 1998, the club added two yellow stars on top of the CSA Steaua badge signifying its 20 titles of champions won, along with the Fotbal Club specification.

In 2003, the new Board of Administration run by George Becali decided to change the crest, which was a return to the old emblem of 1974–1991, redesigned with the two yellow stars on top. The club started to use acronym of the name FCSB before the official change of the name in 2017.

The Ministry of National Defense sued Steaua in 2011, claiming that the Romanian Army were the rightful owners of the Steaua logo, among others. The Supreme Court found in the army's favour, and on 3 December 2014 stripped the football club of its badge. Steaua were forced to play their next home game, against CSM Studențesc Iași, without it on the stadium scoreboard. A new badge was unveiled in January 2015, an eight-sided star containing the letters "FCSB", which would eventually become the official name of the club in 2017.

Colours

Steaua has never had a standard playing kit. However, the most widely used throughout time was the combination of red shirts, blue shorts and red socks. Other variants have been all-red, all-blue and also shirts in vertical red and blue stripes during the 1960s and 1970s. Other kit colours have very rarely been used. Exceptions were the 1986 European Cup Final in which Steaua wore, for the only time in their history, an all-white kit, the 1999–00 away kit (yellow and red), the 2005–06 third kit (yellow and black), the 2008–2010 away kit (a shade of neon yellow-green), the 2010–12 and 2014–16 away kit (all-yellow), the 2012–14 away kit ( all-sky blue or sky blue shirts with dark navy blue shorts and socks). For the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons, the away kit was all-white. For the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons the away kit was ice blue with a darker shade on sleeves. For the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, the kit is all-white again.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Its kit is manufactured by Nike, who have held the contract since 2002, after a long partnership with Adidas.{{cite web |access-date = 12 August 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928022557/http://www.adevarul.ro/articole/steaua-renunta-la-adidas-pentru-nike/7896 |archive-date = 28 September 2007 |access-date = 12 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080617030742/http://www.iaa.ro/Articole/Analize/Steaua-ca-brand/Print-37.html |archive-date = 17 June 2008 |url-status = dead |access-date=2007-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921193630/http://www.prosport.ro/index.php?section=articole&screen=index&id=59098 |archive-date=21 September 2007 |url-status=dead

Grounds

Stadium

Main article: Arena Națională, Stadionul Steaua (1974)

|

Steaua played the first three matches in its history at the defunct Venus stadium. Opened in 1931, the venue had previously been in the property of Venus București, a club disbanded in 1949.{{cite web | access-date = 27 August 2007 | archive-date = 6 February 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130206060355/http://www.romaniansoccer.ro/clubs_2/venus_bucuresti/venus_bucuresti.shtml | url-status = live

From 1974 to 2015, Steaua played its home matches at the Stadionul Ghencea, a football stadium situated in South-Western Bucharest. Part of Complexul Sportiv Steaua, it was inaugurated on 9 April 1974 when Steaua played a friendly match against OFK Beograd, at which time it was the first football-only stadium ever built in Communist Romania, with no track & field facilities. The stadium was built through order of the Ministry of National Defence inside a former military base and was long used by CSA Steaua.

The original capacity was 30,000 on benches. A general renovation occurred in 1991; this included installing seats, which dropped the capacity to 28,365.{{cite web |access-date = 17 July 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070805010952/http://en.uclcityguide.uefa.com/?m24Action=STADIUM&m24Id=50065&m24Tooltip=1 |archive-date = 5 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928061601/http://www.onlinesport.ro/stiri/fotbal/fotbal-intern/liga-1/dinamo/23417/dinamo-trebuie-sa-revina-pe-stadionul-national-in-uefa.htm |url-status = dead |archive-date = 28 September 2007 |access-date = 2007-09-04

Ghencea was able to host UEFA Champions League events, being a Category 3 arena according to the UEFA classification system.{{cite web |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140806205607/http://edu-archive.org/protect.php?url=http://www.9am.ro/stiri-revista-presei/2007-05-09/dinamo-nu-vrea-in-ghencea.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 6 August 2014 |access-date = 2014-07-30

The Romania national team was also a tenant for numerous fixtures.{{cite web | access-date = 7 July 2007 | archive-date = 28 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121724/http://www.frf.ro/index.php?articol=31section=articole&screen=index&id=24914&pagina=0 | url-status = live

From 2011, Steaua played European games and its most important domestic games at the newly constructed Arena Națională, and from March 2015, played exclusively at the Arena Națională. It also uses Steaua Stadium for selected matches.

Training facilities

Main article: Baza Sportivă ARCOM

Baza Sportivă ARCOM is a sports complex in Bucharest, Romania. It is currently used only for football matches, is the home ground of FCSB II and FCSB Academy and also used for trainings. The football complex was built by George Becali on the place of the former ARCOM Concrete Plant, after his club was kicked out from Steaua Stadium and Ghencea Sports Complex due to the conflict with Ministry of National Defence and CSA Steaua București. The football complex has 4 grounds (3 with a grass pitch and 1 with an artificial turf) and holds 1,000 people.

Support

Steaua has the largest number of supporters of any team in Romania. A survey conducted in June 2007 suggested that the club accounts for approximately 42% of all Romanian football lovers, far greater than the teams ranked second and third, Dinamo București, with 12%, and Rapid București, with 9%.

The largest concentration of fans are in Bucharest, notably in areas adjacent to the arena, covering the whole southern half of Bucharest, a city geographically divided by the Dâmbovița River. Also, the club has an important fan base inside the country, where several towns are renowned for counting vast majorities of Steaua supporters, and outside the borders, among Romanian emigrants.

The Steaua Ultras movement began in 1995, when the bases of Armata Ultra (AU), the first Ultras group from Bucharest (and second in Romania after Politehnica Timișoara's Commando Viola Ultra Curva Sud), were set. The group quickly reached an impressive number of members, but, in 2001, they dissolved due to internal problems. Steaua's supporters then divided into several groups, some of them being located at the Peluza Nord ("North End" – Titan Boys, Nucleo, Insurgenții 1998, Skins 1996, Combat, Armata 47 Vest), while some other ones taking their place at the Peluza Sud ("South End" – Vacarm, Glas, E.R.A., Hunters, Outlaws, Shadows, Roosters, T.K., Tinerii Sudiști). Several important groups such as Stil Ostil, Ultras, *Banda Ultra''' and *South Boys'' retired from attending Steaua's matches due to the club's constant abuses towards them and, mainly, to the current ownership of Steaua.

More recently, as of 2006, the supporters have formed their own official association, called AISS (Asociația Independentă a Suporterilor Steliști – "Steaua Supporters' Independent Association"). AISS was formed as a legal entity with its stated goals of "protecting the interests and image of Steaua supporters", as well as "identifying and promoting the club's perennial values".

Steaua's Peluza Nord and Peluza Sud fan groups no longer support the current team, as a sign of protest. The Peluza Sud have instead started to attend the matches of CSA Steaua. However, an online poll conducted by Sport.ro in 2017 has shown that of the 120,000 voters, 95% consider FCSB to hold the real Steaua identity. As soon as the leader of the Skins Berceni group left prison, some fans of Peluza Nord returned to support the team in Liga I, FCSB. So far the groups are: Insurgentii Colentina 1998, Skins Berceni 1996, Titan Boys 1996, North boys 2022 and Nucleo 47. [[File:Steaua north.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Peluza Nord in 2008]] As Steaua is the most popular club in Romania, there are, besides Bucharest, several cities counting a great majority of red and blue supporters among football lovers. Widely speaking, these cities are predominant in the Eastern half of the country, particularly in the regions of Moldavia, Greater Wallachia and Northern Dobruja. Cities such as Suceava, Piatra Neamț, Bacău, Galați (inside Moldavia), Constanța (Northern Dobruja), Buzău, Brăila, Târgoviște, Călărași (Greater Wallachia), Râmnicu Vâlcea, Târgu Jiu (Oltenia), Brașov, Oradea, Sibiu, Târgu Mureș or Petroșani (Transylvania) enjoy a great majority of Steaua fans which are often well-received even by fans of the local teams.

The club is also popular outside the borders, notably between Romanian emigrants. The Valencian Community in Spain accounts for an important number of supporters, being the most important area for this matter.

Steaua fans are also maintaining good relations with the fans of CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria, with whom they share the common root of once representing the teams of their national armies. The bases of these relations date from a UEFA Cup encounter in 2004 between the two clubs. Some ultras are also friends with the ultras from UTA Arad, Corvinul Hunedoara and Farul Constanța, NEC Nijmegen, PAOK FC, CSKA Moscow and Partizan Belgrade. Also, European encounters against Panathinaikos in 1998 and Slavia Praha in 1999 were premises for setting contacts with rival fans of Olympiacos of Greece and Sparta Prague of Czech Republic respectively.

Club rivalries

Eternul Derby

Main article: Eternal derby (Romania)

Steaua's most important rivalry is the one against Dinamo București. Eternul derby ("The Eternal Derby") has been the leading Romanian football encounter since 1948, as Steaua and Dinamo are the two most successful football teams in the country. There have been more than 150 matches played so far between Steaua and Dinamo in the Romanian League, the Romanian Cup and also the Romanian Supercup. With 44 titles combined (Steaua – 26; Dinamo – 18), the two sides have won 36 more than the third-most successful Liga I club, Venus București. [[File:Steaua Bucharest choreography.jpg|290px|right|thumb|An [[Eternal derby (Romania)|Eternal derby]] played at the Arena Națională]]It is also a match between the former clubs of the Romanian Army (Steaua) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Dinamo). Several clashes between different factions of supporters have often occurred and still occur inside and outside the stadium. The heyday was reached before a match kick-off in 1997, when Dinamo's fans set a sector of Stadionul Ghencea's Peluza Sud, where they were assigned, on fire. On 16 August 2016, during Steaua's Champions League play-off 0–5 loss to Manchester City, undercover Dinamo fans displayed a huge message saying Doar Dinamo București ("Only Dinamo Bucharest"), which was labelled one of the biggest pranks in football history.

Between October 1991 and April 2000, Steaua counted 19 undefeated official matches facing their rivals, both in the championship and the cup. Also, a period of 17 years and 7 months has been recorded in which Dinamo failed to win away against Steaua in the domestic league.

Bucharest Derby

The second-most important rivalry was with Rapid București, often called Bucharest derby. Several matches throughout the years between Steaua and Rapid have also ended in serious clashes between fans.The two clubs have met over 140 times, starting with Rapid's 1–0 win on 4 November 1947. The conflict has become even fiercer after Steaua outpassed Rapid in an all-Romanian quarter-final of the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.The conflict between the fans has become even fiercer since then. The rivalry also extends to other sports. The local sports newspapers said that the two teams were linked up in this quarter-final by the line of the number 41 tram which links the Ghencea Stadium to the Valentin Stănescu Stadium. The rivalry also extends to other sports.

Milder and historical rivalries are also with non-Bucharest-based teams, such as CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova, Politehnica Timișoara, Petrolul Ploiești, Universitatea Cluj and a recent one with Astra Giurgiu.

Controversies

Racism and xenophobia

During the year 2025, Siyabonga Ngezana faced racial slurs and racist remarks at FCSB from the owner and the fans too. George Becali, the owner of Ngezana's current club FCSB, made several discriminatory and racist remarks. He publicly stated he would stop signing African players because, in his opinion, "they have no civilization" and "cannot be understood". He also reportedly called Ngezana names such as "ugly monkey" and suggested he wouldn't hire Africans in the future.

Ngezana has shared screenshots of vile, hateful messages he received on social media from fans. These messages included racial slurs like "f*cking monkey" and threats of injury. The abuse often came after matches, particularly following FCSB's victory over PAOK in a European tournament. After the victory against PAOK, the fan of the losing side attacked him on Instagram and the fan promised that Ngezana will cry and PAOK will thrash FCSB 4-0 the next time they would meet, he also said he wished he broke his leg on the replies of Instagram stories. The PAOK fan who sent these Instagram messages goes by the username called Alexandros Agatianos.

Ownership and finances

Steaua has previously been known as the club of the Romanian Army, which founded it in 1947 as a sports society. The Army continues to own the sports society, named CSA Steaua București. The football department, however, separated and turned private in 1998, owned and financed by a non-profit organization called AFC Steaua București, chaired by businessman Viorel Păunescu.

In January 2003, the team turned public under the leadership of investor and former politician George Becali, who had already purchased 51% of the society's shares and later on acquired the rest to become the owner of the club. At present, Becali has no official links with FCSB, as he gradually renounced his shares. However, the facts that the current shareholders, that include several nephews of his, are people loyal to him and that he is still in charge of FCSB are obvious. An unofficial explanation for this situation is represented by the heavy amount of unpaid taxes added up by the former governing company, AFC Steaua București, whose payment towards the tax authority was avoided this way by transferring its assets to the new-formed company, with the old association going on liquidation bankruptcy.

George "Gigi" Becali is a highly controversial figure at FCSB, whose involvement in the life of the club and the team has often been described as authoritarian and dictatorial by both the media and the fans.

Statistics and records

FCSB currently boasts itself with the most impressive pedigree in Romania. With 75 seasons spent in Liga I, they are one of only two teams to have played only in the first national league, along with Dinamo București (71 seasons). At the same time, the club is the current record holder for the number of national championships (27), national cups (24), national super cups (6) and the national league cup (2). Between 1993 and 1998, its run of six consecutive national titles won equaled the one of Chinezul Timișoara from the 1920s. Internationally, it is the only Romanian club to have won continental trophies (the European Champions Cup in 1986 and the European Super Cup in 1986) and to have played in the final of the European Cup (in 1986 and 1989). It is the only Romanian club that from 2002 to 2018 managed to qualify in the groups of a European competition

FCSB's Arena Nationala is the largest stadium in Romania. The club's highest home attendance was 50,016 in a Europa League quarter-final against Chelsea in 2012–13 season. The modernisation of Ghencea stadium during the 2018–20 and the build of a new stadium make the Ghencea stadium one of the biggest in Romania with a capacity of 31,254 being inaugurated on 7 July 2021, with a match between CSA Steaua and OFK Beograd, the same team with whom they had inaugurated the previous stadium back in 1974. It ended with a 6–0 win for the home team. In August 2018, FCSB signed Florinel Coman from FC Viitorul Constanta for €3 million, the highest transfer fee in club's history. In January 2021, FCSB player Dennis Man transferred to Parma Calcio 1913 for a romanian record transfer fee of €13 million. Other records were set by former player Gheorghe Hagi transfer set the record for the transfer fee from the domestic league to a foreign club, with $4,300,000 paid by Real Madrid CF in 1990. On 18 September 2014, in a 2014–15 UEFA Europa League group stage match against Danish side Aalborg BK, FCSB set two competition records: Claudiu Keșerü scored three goals in a span of only 12 minutes, this being the fastest hat-trick in the history of the competition, and with the 6–0 victory over Aalborg BK, Steaua achieved the highest score in the history of the UEFA Europa League, also being the first team to manages to score 6 goals in one match.

Popular culture

As Steaua is currently the most popular football team in Romania, a good number of musicians or TV and film directors have inspired themselves from ideas linked to the Ghencea-based club. Popular reference, however, appeared only after the Romanian Revolution, as before, mass-media programmes were mostly being controlled by the former communist regime. The 2002 Romanian film Furia depicts scenes in which Steaua and Dinamo gangs of supporters are fighting on the streets after a direct match between the two sides.{{cite web | access-date = 12 August 2007 | archive-date = 27 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224320/http://www.cinemagia.ro/movie.php?movie_id=3942&what=article&article_id=3286 | url-status = live |access-date = 12 August 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929221650/http://preferate.net/view.php?id=6538 |archive-date = 29 September 2007

Several other examples from music can be attributed as Steaua-related. Apart from club anthems played throughout time by Marcel Pavel, Bere Gratis, Gaz pe Foc, an album was released in 2006 as a compilation by Mircea Vintilă, Chicanos, Bogdan Dima and several other artists.{{cite web | access-date = 12 August 2007 | archive-date = 26 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222358/http://www.dol.ro/Produse/Muzica/Compilatii/Compilatie_Forza_Steaua_CD_QI107077/index.asp | url-status = dead | access-date = 12 August 2007 | archive-date = 18 July 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070718181639/http://www.versuri.ro/versuri/kiifk_voltaj+msd2.html | url-status = live

One of the most famous pop-culture references about the club is the association with Scooter's song Maria, first sung spontaneously in 2003 by the fans in Peluza Nord after the team would score. Ever since, it has been adopted as an unofficial club anthem and is being played at the stadium at every match, sung together by the supporters. Nonetheless, the song is beginning to lose popularity, mainly because it has become too commercial and many fans do not feel bonded with it any more.{{cite web | access-date = 12 August 2007 | archive-date = 23 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723133546/http://www.fcsteaua.ro/index/section/articles/article/2870 | url-status = live

Honours

• Shared record

Players

Main article: List of FC Steaua București players

Current squad

Out on loan

Club officials

Board of directors

• Last updated: 18 January 2026
• Source:

Current technical staff

• Last updated: 18 January 2026
• Source:

Notable coaches

Main article: List of FC Steaua București managers

The following coaches have all won at least one major trophy with Steaua București: :Table correct as of 4 July 2024

References

References

1. "Am cucerit Europa şi-n tribune! » Steaua - Chelsea a fost urmărit de cei mai mulţi suporteri dintre meciurile din optimile Europa League".
2. Rosu, Emanuel. (27 December 2014). "Where the team has no name: the fight over Steaua Bucharest's identity". The Guardian.
3. "Belodedici intervine in scandalul FCSB – CSA! "Generalii au fugit cu buzunarele pline si i-au dat echipa lui Becali" Ce spune de proiectul CSA Steaua!". [[Sport.ro]].
4. Dida, Alexandru (21–12–2001), ''Steaua fotbalului românesc'', Pro TV Magazin, nr.51/IV, pp.62–63
5. Brancu, Constantin (1994), ''Din culisele supercampioanei'', Tempus, p.5–8, {{ISBN. 973-95993-1-1
6. (14 February 2012). "Întîia cucerire a Occidentului!". [[Gazeta Sporturilor]].
7. (2 May 2023). "FRF a interzis două echipe în cupele europene de frica unei eliminări rușinoase și din cauza "destrăbălării bulevardiste", acum altele nu aplică să joace în Europa și bulversează competiția". Prosport.ro.
8. "River Plate 1 x 0 Steaua Bucuresti ● 1986 Intercontinental Cup Final Extended Goals & Highlights HD".
9. "Unbeaten".
10. "www.ceausescu.org – the leading infosource on the web about Ceausescu and his era!".
11. (10 April 2015). "From racism and homophobia to peace and religion: Is Gigi Becali really a changed man?". Goal.com.
12. (28 April 2014). "The most offensive owner in world sports is sadly not Donald Sterling". [[The Washington Post]].
13. (31 March 2017). "Steaua Bucharest change name to FC FCSB". [[Special Broadcasting Service]].
14. (30 March 2017). "Deciziile Comitetului Executiv din 30 martie 2017". [[Romanian Football Federation]].
15. (29 March 2017). "Becali a dezvăluit, în direct la Digi Sport, motivul pentru care de mâine echipa sa îşi va schimba numele". [[Digi Sport (Romania).
16. (29 March 2017). "Şi-au pus antrenor, acum aduc jucătorii. Lăcătuş: "Până la jumătatea lunii iulie, vrem să începem pregătirea cu 25–26 de jucători"". [[Pro Sport]].
17. (29 March 2017). "Ultima zi cu "Steaua" " Anunţ-şoc făcut de Becali: "De mâine e gata" » Anunț IMPORTANT despre palmaresul echipei". [[Gazeta Sporturilor]].
18. (29 March 2019). "Loserii istoriei! FCSB poate bifa o premieră rușinoasă în istoria Ligii 1: singura echipă cu patru locuri 2 la rând". Gazeta Sporturilor.
19. (5 July 2019). "Reacţia lui Gigi Becali, după ce a pierdut palmaresul de până în 2003. Ce urmează pentru FCSB". Digi Sport.
20. Arvinte, Andrei. (13 November 2024). "Cutremur în fotbalul românesc. Se pregătesc mai multe dosare. E vizat și Mircea Lucescu".
21. Mărgărit, Marius. (13 November 2024). "Mircea Lucescu și Emil Grădinescu, primele nume importante date în judecată de Steaua, în războiul cu FCSB » Cum a primit vestea comentatorul TV".
22. Stan, Filip. (14 November 2024). "Emil Grădinescu, reacţie ironică după ce a aflat că CSA Steaua vrea să-l dea în judecată. "O să fug din ţară în Grecia sau Italia!"".
23. Rusu, Sorin. (2025-06-05). "Decizie definitivă. FCSB nu deține palmaresul Stelei".
24. Dumitru, Valentin. (5 June 2025). ""Nu e o victorie pentru CSA". Avocatul FCSB, reacție rapidă după decizia ÎCCJ în procesul pentru palmares: "Steaua nu mai poate avea pretenții"".
25. (5 June 2025). "Florin Talpan i-a răspuns avocatului FCSB-ului: "Trebuie să terminați cu minciunile!"".
26. Ciutacu, Bogdan. (5 June 2025). "Adrian Căvescu, avocatul FCSB, contraatacă: "Victoria lui Talpan este amară. Echipa din Liga 2 nu e Steaua!". Exclusiv".
27. (5 June 2025). "Dispută fără sfârşit pentru palmares! CSA jubilează, iar Becali susţine că FCSB n-a pierdut nimic şi că decizia îi este favorabilă: "Steaua nu poate emite pretenţii, nu are nicio calitate procesuală"".
28. {{YouTube. vIocZy-YQww. Gigi Becali a venit cu replica pentru Florin Talpan și a făcut anunțul: ”O să ne numim FCSB Steaua” Digi Sport, 6 iunie 2025.
29. Hitruc, Cristian. (5 June 2025). "Gigi Becali știe de ce FCSB a câștigat procesul cu Talpan: "Luați și citiți"".
30. Stanciu, Alexandru. (5 June 2025). "Gigi Becali a intrat în direct râzând în hohote, după declarațiile lui Talpan: "Ne rugăm pentru sănătatea lui mintală"".
31. Heimgartner, Rogier. (11 December 2025). "Het fascinerende verhaal van FCSB: de legerclub die haar identiteit kwijtraakte".
32. Rosu, Emmanuel. (27 December 2014). "Where the team has no name: the fight over Steaua Bucharest's identity". The Guardian.
33. (7 January 2015). "Steaua Bucharest reveal 'Clip Art' logo after being stripped of their name, colours and emblem". Yahoo!.
34. (7 July 2022). "FCSB are un nou sponsor principal! Suma uriașă pe care o va primi".
35. (6 August 2020). "Liga 1 2016/2017 – Attendance".
36. (25 May 2017). "FOTO Așa arată casa Stelei! Cât a investit Becali în noua bază a FCSB-ului din Berceni și ce facilități are".
37. "42% dintre români sunt stelisti". Ziarul.
38. "Armata le dadea papara...". FCSteaua.ro.
39. "Istoria ultra' incepe cu noi!". FCSteaua.ro.
40. "Comunicatele grupurilor Vacarm, Ultras, STILOSTIL, Banda Ultra". FCSteaua.ro.
41. "AISS va prezinta AISS.ro". aiss.ro.
42. (3 April 2017). "Record de voturi intr-un sondaj pe site! 120.000 de oameni au ales: FCSB (Steaua) sau CSA (Steaua)! REZULTATELE SONDAJULUI". [[Sport.ro]].
43. "Marele derby (the great derby)". footballderbies.com.
44. "Romania – List of Champions". [[RSSSF]].
45. Dulamita, I., Dobre, F. & Popan, C.. "Armatele de fanatici din spatele fotbalului". HotNews.ro.
46. [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/16/steaua-bucharest-dinamo-display-sabotaged Steaua Bucharest display sabotaged by Dinamo Bucharest fans] {{Webarchive. link. (15 April 2021 , ''[[The Guardian]]'', 16 August 2016)
47. "Marele derby (the great derby)". footballderbies.com.
48. "Lista completa cu derbyurile campionatului". fanatik.ro.
49. (5 November 2025). "Ngezana faces racism at FCSB". kickoff.com.
50. "Gigi Becali si-a vandut toate actiunile de la Steaua nepotilor sai".
51. "Cine mai conduce Steaua".
52. "Romanii platesc datoriile Stelei". evz.ro.
53. Traciuc, Alexandru. "Romanii platesc datoriile Stelei". gardianul.ro.
54. "Steaua's series of 104 matches unbeaten in the Divizia A". [[RSSSF]].
55. "Inter Milano a egalat recordul tandemului Steaua – Dinamo.". 7plus.ro.
56. Alin Huiu. "Steaua Europeana". onlinesport.ro.
57. "The Red Dogs" is a common nickname adopted by Dinamo's fans for their team.
58. "Profile: Fotbal Club FCSB". [[UEFA]].com.
59. (4 June 2018). "Liga 1 Betano: Cifrele vicecampioanei FCSB". [[Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal]].
60. "Jocuri sportiveb fotbal". CSA Steaua București.
61. (30 March 2017). "S-a stins Steaua lui Gigi Becali. FCSB preia palmaresul din 2003.". [[Evenimentul Zilei]].
62. (29 March 2017). "Ultima zi cu "Steaua" " Anunţ-şoc făcut de Becali: "De mâine e gata" » Anunț IMPORTANT despre palmaresul echipei". [[Gazeta Sporturilor]].
63. (26 September 2017). "Trofeele Stelei rămân în ceață. Dănilescu: "Aveam aceeași emblemă și dreptul de a folosi palmaresul și marca"". Digisport.
64. (4 July 2019). "Tribunalul BUCUREŞTI: Informaţii dosar". Ministerul Justiției al României (Romanian Ministry of Justice).
65. (5 July 2019). "CSA Steaua a câştigat procesul pentru palmares / Gigi Becali: "Voi ataca decizia la Curtea de Apel"".
66. (28 June 2021). "Curtea de Apel a decis! Ce se întâmplă cu palmaresul Stelei » GSP a obținut clarificări".
67. "Romanian Cup: Season 1987-1988".
68. . (1 March 2015). ["Mircea Lucescu despre Steaua - Dinamo: 'Rivalitatea a existat mai mult între mine și Valentin Ceaușescu'"](http://www.dolce-sport.ro/fotbal/fotbal-intern/steaua-dinamo-1988-cupa-mircea-lucescu-anghel-iordanescu-44101/). *[[Telekom Romania]]*.
69. "First Team". FCSB.
70. "FOTBAL CLUB FCSB". Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal.
71. "Organizare FC FCSB – Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal".
72. "FCSB – Official Site".
73. "Istoric Antrenori". steauafc.com.