Career
He represented three other teams in a 14-year senior career. Born in Semlac, Arad County of Banat Swabian descent, Duckadam started playing in his regional leagues, before moving to Football Club UTA Arad in 1978 to become professional. In 1982 he gained two caps for Romania and, subsequently, was signed by country giants Football Club Steaua Bucureşti.
Duckadam, who was instrumental in helping the capital side to two consecutive league titles, was also between the posts for the 1986 European Cup final against Football Club Barcelona, which was played in Seville, on 7 May 1986.
Amazingly, he saved four consecutive penalty shots in the shootout, from José Ramón Alexanko, Ángel Pedraza, Pichi Alonso and Marcos, being the first one to do so in an official European competition. In 1986, Duckadam suffered a rare blood disorder only few weeks after the Seville performance, and would only resume his career three years later, finishing it with lowly Vagonul Arad in the second division.
According to a personal interview given in 1999, he had become a major with the Romanian Border Police (Poliția de Frontieră) in his hometown. Additionally, he opened a football school in the city, named after himself.
On 25 March 2008 Duckadam was decorated by the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" – ("The Sportive Merit" Order – class II), for his part in winning the of 1986 European Cup.
Two years later, on 11 August, he was named Steaua"s president