Article by Alexandru Barbu – Published on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 09:38 / Updated on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 09:44
Goalkeeper Matei Popa, 18 years old, from FCSBhe would be summoned for the first time to a representative of Romania.
In order not to use a U21 player in the field, Gigi Becali decided at the end of January that the young goalkeeper Matei Popa should check the Federation's rule at FCSB. Since then, he has been integral every time, in 8 games.
Even if, with Matei in goal, FCSB missed the play-off, Popa will continue to be a starter for the red-blues in the relegation tournament. Gigi Becali and Mirel Rădoi, the team's new coach, have already discussed this topic.
GSP sources: Matei Popa from FCSB is waiting for the summons. Where?
Born in April 2007, Popa also entered the radar of the youth representatives with his rise from FCSB. He could play starting with Romania U19. Obviously, he is also eligible for the U20, U21 national teams.
GSP.ro authorized sources claim that there are very high chances that Popa will get a national batch this month.The most likely scenario is the one in which the goalkeeper will represent the U20 national team.
The reason? Romania U19 and Romania U21 are engaged in the preliminaries of the European Championship, while the U20 national team basically plays friendly matches. “Romania U20 would be a safer environment for Popa to debut in a national team”Gazeta's sources explain.
Matei Popa still has no market share on Transfermarkt, photo: Imago Images
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Romania U20 plays against Poland and Switzerland in March, matches that count for the end of the Elite League campaign. We are in 6th place out of 7 after 4 matches played.
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Codruț Sandu (Corvinul) and Iustin Chirilă (ACSM Reșita) most recently defended the goal of Romania U20, whose coach is Adrian Iencsi.
11 goalsPopa collected at FCSB. He kept the goal intact in only one match, the one on his debut, with Csikszereda
Matei Popa is in our opinion, we have to make a decision. He appeared in 8 matches at FCSB, had a pretty good evolution and is clearly in our sights. He is the 3rd U21 goalkeeper to appear in League 1, after Lefter and Rafa Munteanu. We still have until the convocation, we will decide
– Răzvan Stancathe goalkeeper coach of Romania U21, at GSP Live
