Cristina Neagu

Cristina Neagu, born on August 26, 1988, is a celebrated Romanian former professional handball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the sport's history. Her exceptional talent and dedication have earned her the distinction of being the only female handball player to win the prestigious IHF World Player of the Year award four times, with victories in the years two thousand ten, two thousand fifteen, two thousand sixteen, and two thousand eighteen.

In addition to her remarkable World Player accolades, Neagu was honored with the EHF Player of the Year award in two thousand seventeen and two thousand eighteen, setting a record that underscores her dominance in the sport. Her prowess on the court is further highlighted by her selection to the All-EHF Champions League All-Star Team on seven occasions, spanning from two thousand fifteen to two thousand eighteen and again from two thousand twenty to two thousand twenty-two.

A prolific goalscorer, Neagu holds the title of the all-time leader in goals scored at the European Championship, with an impressive total of three hundred and three goals. Her remarkable performance at the two thousand fifteen World Championship saw her not only finish as the top scorer but also earn the MVP title of the tournament. Furthermore, she led the EHF Champions League in scoring during the two thousand fourteen to fifteen, two thousand seventeen to eighteen, and two thousand twenty-one to twenty-two seasons.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to handball and her impact on the sport, Neagu was awarded the title of Cetățean de onoare, or