Banel Nicoliță. 32 yrs, Brasov, Romania
Bănel Nicolita is one of the most famous Roma abroad, noticing a heavyweight athlete in the world of international football. Former Steaua footballer has never denied his origins. “I am a Rom and I am proud of a game for my ethnicity and the image of Romania,” says the athlete.
He was born in 1985, in a modest family in Făureni, Braila County. At 14 years old he played at Unirea Făurei club, continuing with Dacia Unirea Braila, in Division C. Nicolita played for Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League, three times consecutively, accounting for 15 matches in this competition. Bănel Nicolita is the second player from Steaua Bucharest as number of matches (64) in European competitions. He was selected in the national team of Romania, being appreciated for the speed and volume of effort he puts in the game.
In 2008 he was decorated by President Traian Basescu with the “Sports Merit” 2nd Grade Medal. In 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the French group in Ligue 1 AS Saint-Étienne, after which he was lent to Nantes.
Bănel, named in December 2007 as ambassador against Romania’s racism at the Phare initiative, explained: “I had the honor of becoming a captain at Steaua, but it was on merit. Respect is gaining slowly.”
L’Equipe headline: “The most beloved Romanian rom receives the blows by hiding his pain behind a smile and escapes into the Christian-Orthodox religion and in his great mission.”
“I play for my ethnicity and for the image of Romania, I want to be a positive example for the Roma community and to offer a good image to the country abroad, I am not ashamed of my origins!”
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