Career highlights

2019 · Romania

Plays for CS Dinamo București (2008 age group). Scores a hat-trick in the 9–2 win versus CS Steaua București – his first official hat-trick for Dinamo.

Read more about his early career at Dinamo

2019 · Italy

Joins a training camp in Alessandria, Italy, with Associazione Sportiva Cattedrale Alessandria at the invitation of scout Mirko Feretti (former Juventus Torino player). Trains with youth players observed by scouts connected to Juventus and other clubs.

2024 · Europeada Tournament (Germany – Denmark)

Takes part in Europeada 2024, the European Football Championship of autochthonous national minorities in Europe. The tournament is held in the German–Danish border region, with matches hosted across Schleswig, Tønder, Apenrade, Sønderborg, Flensburg and North Frisia.

The opening ceremony takes place in Schleswig and the event is held under the patronage of Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck. Among the participants are also the Sinti and Roma teams of Schleswig-Holstein.

See original coverage on NDR Schleswig-Holstein

2025 · Arizona, USA

Moves to Fountain Hills, Arizona and joins the Fountain Hills Falcons American football team as a placekicker.

2025 · All-Region recognition

Selected in the 2nd Team All-Region at placekicker in his very first season of American football in the U.S. high-school system.

Training & coaching

To refine his technique, Matei has worked with Coach Zauner, one of the most respected kicking coaches in the United States. His training focuses on:

  • Technical consistency and repeatable mechanics
  • Pressure handling and mental routines before each kick
  • Field goal accuracy and kickoff control

What’s next?

All-Region honors are just the beginning. Matei’s goals include:

  • Earning a spot in a strong college football program
  • Competing in specialist kicking camps and combines
  • Continuing to represent Romania with pride in every locker room he enters