Cristian Munteanu

{{distinguish|text=the Romanian football defender Cristian Lucian Munteanu}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name= Cristian Munteanu

| fullname = Cristian Marian Munteanu

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1974|11|10}}

| birth_place = Isaccea, Romania

| height = {{height|m=1.81}}

| currentclub = Oțelul Galați (president)

| position = Goalkeeper

| youthyears1 =

| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–1992

| youthclubs1 = Progresul Isaccea

| youthclubs2 = Luceafărul București

| years1 = 1986 | clubs1 = Progresul Isaccea | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 1992–1997 | clubs2 = Farul Constanța | caps2 = 100 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1997 | clubs3 = Dinamo București | caps3 = 2 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 1998–1999 | clubs4 = Național București | caps4 = 48 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2000–2002 | clubs5 = Oțelul Galați | caps5 = 67 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2002–2006 | clubs6 = Dinamo București | caps6 = 49 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2003 | clubs7 = → Național București (loan) | caps7 = 11 | goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2005 | clubs8 = → Național București (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2005 | clubs9 = → AEK Larnaca (loan) | caps9 = 7 | goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2006–2008 | clubs10 = Progresul București | caps10 = 14 | goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2008–2009 | clubs11 = Otopeni | caps11 = 25 | goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2009–2010 | clubs12 = Dinamo București | caps12 = 5 | goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2009 | clubs13 = → Astra Ploiești (loan) | caps13 = 10 | goals13 = 0

| totalcaps = 354 | totalgoals = 0

| nationalyears1 = 1992–1993

| nationalteam1 = Romania U18

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1992–1995

| nationalteam2 = Romania U21

| nationalcaps2 = 17

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2012

| managerclubs1 = Farul Constanța (vice-president)

| manageryears2 = 2020–2024

| managerclubs2 = Oțelul Galați (general manager)

| manageryears3 = 2024–

| managerclubs3 = Oțelul Galați (president)

}}

Cristian Marian Munteanu (born 10 November 1974) is a former Romanian football player who played as a goalkeeper, currently president at Liga I club Oțelul Galați.

Club career

=Progresul Isaccea=

Munteanu, nicknamed Babicu was born on 10 November 1974 in Isaccea, Romania, starting to play football at local club, Progresul.{{RomanianSoccer|1302/cristian-marian-munteanu}}{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/cristi-munteanu-iordanescu-hagi-popescu-634573.html | title=Interviu-eveniment cu Cristi Munteanu: "Am fost șocat cum țipa Iordănescu la Hagi și Popescu. Hagi stătea cu capul în jos, Popescu mai încerca să explice"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Event interview with Cristi Munteanu: "I was shocked how Iordănescu was yelling at Hagi and Popescu. Hagi was standing with his head down, Popescu was still trying to explain"| date=17 June 2021 | access-date=5 May 2025}}{{cite web | url=https://www.viata-libera.ro/sport/50988-galati-viata-libera-cotidian-reintalnire-surpriza-pentru-cristi-munteanu-otelul | title=Reîntâlnire-surpriză pentru Cristi Munteanu, cel mai iubit portar din istoria Oțelului (GALERIE FOTO)| publisher=Viata-libera.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Surprise reunion for Cristi Munteanu, the most beloved goalkeeper in the history of Oțelul (PHOTO GALLERY)| date=8 February 2014 | access-date=5 May 2025}} When he was 11 years old, as Progresul's goalkeepers left the club to do their military service, he made his senior debut in a Divizia C match that ended with a 7–0 loss to Chimia Brăila. Afterwards he played one more senior league game, then he continued his junior career, at one point moving to Luceafărul București.

=Farul Constanța=

Munteanu went at Farul Constanța where he made his Divizia A debut shortly after he turned 18, on 22 November 1992 under coach Florin Marin in a 5–0 away loss to Oțelul Galați.{{cite web | url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/cristi-munteanu-debut-memorabil-cu-farul-constanta-in-divizia-a-atunci-a-infruntat-otelul-acum-e-manager-general-la-galati-734231.html | title=Cristi Munteanu, debut memorabil cu Farul Constanța în Divizia A. Atunci, a înfruntat Oțelul, acum e manager general la Galați| publisher=Ziuaconstanta.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu, memorable debut with Farul Constanța in Division A. Then, he faced Oțelul, now he is general manager at Galați| date=26 November 2020 | access-date=5 May 2025}} He played five games in the 1995 Intertoto Cup as The Sailors got past the group stage, being eliminated in the round of 16 by Heerenveen.{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/conference-league/farul-cea-mai-buna-performanta-europeana-in-urma-cu-28-de-ani-in-cupa-intertoto.html | title=Farul, cea mai bună performanță europeană, în urmă cu 28 de ani, în Cupa Intertoto! | publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Farul, the best European performance, 28 years ago, in the Intertoto Cup!| date=24 August 2023 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristian-munteanu/ui-cup-1995-1996/farul-constanta/3/|title=Cristian Munteanu. Intertoto Cup 1995|access-date=5 May 2025}} During his five seasons spent at Farul he had a period in which he did not concede any goals for 569 consecutive minutes.

=Dinamo, Național and Oțelul=

In 1997 he went to play for his childhood favorite team, Dinamo București where he made only two league appearances, as first choice goalkeeper was Florin Prunea. In the middle of the 1997–98 season he went to play for Național București.{{cite web | url=https://adevarul.ro/sport/dinamo-l-a-imprumutat-pe-cristi-munteanu-la-fc-1337868.html | title=Dinamo l-a imprumutat pe Cristi Munteanu la FC National| publisher=Adevarul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Dinamo loaned Cristi Munteanu to FC National| date=21 January 2005 | access-date=5 May 2025}} He participated with The Bankers in the 1998 Intertoto Cup, playing five matches as they got past Hapoel Haifa and Iraklis in the first two rounds, being eliminated in the third by Bologna on the away goals rule.{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristian-munteanu/ui-cup-1998-1999/progresul-bucuresti/3/|title=Cristian Munteanu. Intertoto Cup 1998|access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/europeancups/1998_99/national_bologna_02.shtml|title=Național București – Bologna|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=5 May 2025}} In the middle of the 1999–2000 season, Munteanu went to play for Oțelul Galați. During his two seasons and a half spent with The Steelworkers, he was very appreciated by the fans, being considered one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the club.

=Dinamo and loans=

In 2002 he returned to Dinamo where he played in both legs of the 4–1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge from the 2002–03 Champions League second qualifying round.{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristian-munteanu/champions-league-qualifikation-2002-2003/dinamo-bucuresti/3/|title=Cristian Munteanu. Champions League Qualifiers 2002/2003|access-date=5 May 2025}} Also the team won the 2002–03 Cupa României but coach Ioan Andone preferred to use Daniel Tudor in the 1–0 win over Național from the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/2002_2003.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 2002–2003|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=5 May 2025}} In the first half of the following season he was loaned to Național. He returned for the second half to Dinamo, helping them win The Double, coach Andone using him in nine league games, also he kept a clean sheet in the 2–0 win over Oțelul from the Cupa României final.{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/menu_items/champions.shtml|title=Romania National Champions |publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=5 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.romaniansoccer.ro/romanian_cup/2003_2004.shtml|title=Romanian Cup – Season 2003–2004|publisher=RomanianSoccer|access-date=5 May 2025}} Afterwards he made three appearances in the 2004–05 Champions League qualifying rounds, keeping a clean sheet in the 2–0 aggregate win over Žilina but received a red card in the second leg, then in the following round they were eliminated by Manchester United.{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1261881-dinamo-invins-zilina-1-0.htm | title=Dinamo a invins pe Zilina cu 1-0| publisher=Hotnews.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Dinamo defeated Zilina with 1-0| date=6 May 2016| access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://jurnalul.ro/sport/calificare-la-sacrificiu-63640.html| title=Calificare la sacrificiu| publisher=Jurnalul.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Sacrifice qualification| date=5 August 2004| access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/ce-s-a-intamplat-cand-dinamo-a-dat-de-cristiano-ronaldo-ioan-andone-catre-un-fundas-nu-l-mai-ataca-ca-te-iau-cu-ambulanta-de-aici-595206.html| title=Ce s-a întâmplat când Dinamo a dat de Cristiano Ronaldo. Ioan Andone către un fundaș: "Nu-l mai ataca, că te iau cu ambulanţa de aici!"| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=What happened when Dinamo met Cristiano Ronaldo. Ioan Andone to a defender: "Don't attack him anymore, I'll take you out of here by ambulance!"| date=6 April 2020| access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web|publisher=WorldFootball|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristian-munteanu/champions-league-qualifikation-2004-2005/dinamo-bucuresti/3/|title=Cristian Munteanu. Champions League Qualifiers 2004/2005|access-date=5 May 2025}} In the middle of the season he went loaned once again at Național. In 2005, Munteanu had his only experience outside Romania, as he was loaned by Dinamo at AEK Larnaca, being teammate with compatriot Narcis Răducan, playing seven games in the Cypriot First Division.{{cite web | url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/intamplari-din-cipru-cu-narcis-raducan-si-cristi-munteanu-nu-ne-dadeau-banii-unii-mai-apreciati-ii-luau-829754 | title=Întâmplări din Cipru, cu Narcis Răducan și Cristi Munteanu: "Nu ne dădeau banii. Unii mai apreciați îi luau"| publisher=Digisport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Events from Cyprus, with Narcis Răducan and Cristi Munteanu: "They didn't give us the money. Some more appreciated ones took it"| date=26 April 2020 | access-date=5 May 2025}} He returned to Dinamo after half of year where he played for the rest of the season.

=Național and Otopeni=

In 2006, Munteanu returned to Național who relegated at the end of the season. He stayed with the club that changed its name to Progresul for one more season in the second league.{{cite web | url=https://www.sport.ro/superliga/cristi-munteanu-vreau-sa-plec-de-la-fc-national.html | title=Cristi Munteanu: "Vreau sa plec de la FC National"| publisher=Sport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu: "I want to leave from FC National"| date=27 December 2007 | access-date=5 May 2025}}

In the 2008–09 season he played for Otopeni with whom he relegated once again.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/cristi-munteanu-la-cs-otopeni-83101.html | title=Cristi Munteanu la CS Otopeni| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu at CS Otopeni| date=17 June 2008 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.cancan.ro/babicu-reprofilat-portar-14758642 | title="Babicu", reprofilat portar| publisher=Cancan.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title="Babicu", reprofiled goalkeeper| date=25 July 2008 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://liga2.prosport.ro/special/clasamentele-sezonului-2008-2009-au-fost-aprobate-4591498 | title=Clasamentele sezonului 2008-2009 au fost aprobate| publisher=Liga2.prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=The 2008-2009 season rankings have been approved| date=23 June 2009 | access-date=5 May 2025}}

=Dinamo and Astra=

In July 2009, Munteanu was signed once again by Dinamo who needed a goalkeeper after the injury suffered by Bogdan Lobonț.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/cristi-munteanu-si-a-rezolvat-problemele-cu-cs-otopeni-si-semneaza-cu-dinamo-146083.html | title=Cristi Munteanu și-a rezolvat problemele cu CS Otopeni și semnează cu Dinamo| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu has resolved his problems with CS Otopeni and signs with Dinamo| date=8 July 2009 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/portarul-cristian-munteanu-a-semnat-un-contract-cu-dinamo-4624388 | title=Portarul Cristian Munteanu a semnat un contract cu Dinamo| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Goalkeeper Cristian Munteanu signed a contract with Dinamo| date=8 July 2009 | access-date=5 May 2025}} He was loaned to Astra Ploiești for the 2009–10 season but left after the first half of it as coach Nicolò Napoli removed him from the squad.{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/fc-dinamo-a-anuntat-ca-a-renuntat-la-colaborarea-cu-astra-ploiesti-5161692 | title=FC Dinamo a anunțat că a renunțat la colaborarea cu Astra Ploiești| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=FC Dinamo announced that it has given up on its collaboration with Astra Ploiești| date=7 December 2009 | access-date=5 May 2025}} He returned to Dinamo for the second half of the season, making his last appearance in the Romanian first league on 22 May 2010 in a 2–0 away loss to FC Vaslui, gaining a total of 338 matches in the competition.{{cite web | url=https://www.mediafax.ro/sport/fc-vaslui-a-invins-pe-dinamo-scor-2-0-si-a-terminat-sezonul-pe-locul-3-in-liga-i-6152732 | title=FC Vaslui a învins pe Dinamo, scor 2-0, și a terminat sezonul pe locul 3 în Liga I| publisher=Mediafax.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=FC Vaslui defeated Dinamo, 2-0, and finished the season in 3rd place in Liga I| date=22 May 2010 | access-date=5 May 2025}}

International career

Munteanu played for Romania's under-18 squad under the guidance of coach Gheorghe Staicu, including playing three games at the 1993 European Under-18 Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/cristian-marian-munteanu-167909/|title=Cristian Munteanu profile|publisher=11v11|access-date=5 May 2025}} He started playing for the nation's under-21 team while he was 17 years old.

During his career, Munteanu was called at Romania's senior team by coaches Anghel Iordănescu and Gheorghe Hagi but eventually did not play in any games.

After retirement

After he ended his career, Munteanu had several businesses in various domains. In 2012 he was appointed as vice-president at Farul Constanța, a position he held for a few months.{{cite web | url=https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-2/cristi-munteanu-vicepresedinte-la-farul-9400210 | title=Cristi Munteanu, vicepreședinte la Farul| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu, vice-president at Farul| date=14 March 2012 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://cugetliber.ro/stiri-sport-cristi-munteanu-fc-farul-nu-va-retrograda-155590 | title=Cristi Munteanu: "FC Farul nu va retrograda!"| publisher=Cugetliber.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristi Munteanu: "FC Farul will not relegate!"| date=27 November 2012 | access-date=5 May 2025}} In 2020 he went to work for Oțelul Galați as a general manager, then in 2024 he became the club's president.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/otelul-galati-are-presedinte-nou-737077.html | title=Oțelul Galați are președinte nou. Favoritul lui Dorinel Munteanu preia conducerea| publisher=Prosport.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Oțelul Galați has a new president. Dorinel Munteanu's favorite takes over| date=3 April 2024 | access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web | url=https://www.viata-libera.ro/eveniment/229336-cristian-munteanu-confirmat-presedinte-la-otelul | title=Cristian Munteanu, confirmat preşedinte la Oțelul| publisher=Viata-libera.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cristian Munteanu, confirmed president of Oțelul| date=7 August 2024 | access-date=5 May 2025}}

Personal life

Munteanu's father, Vasile played for Progresul Isaccea in Divizia C. He had four uncles and two cousins who also played for Isaccea. His cousin, George Curcă was also a goalkeeper and they were colleagues in 2010 at Dinamo București.{{cite web | url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/verii-cristi-munteanu-si-curca-se-lupta-pentru-a-apara-poarta-lui-dinamo-183494.html | title=Verii Cristi Munteanu și Curcă se luptă pentru a apăra poarta lui Dinamo| publisher=Gsp.ro| language=Romanian |trans-title=Cousins Cristi Munteanu and Curcă fight to defend Dinamo's goal| date=30 March 2010 | access-date=5 May 2025}}