Lucian Sanmartean is a Romanian professional Association football player who plays for Al Ittihad.
Although he is right footed, he plays on the left side. He is regarded for his exceptional passes, as well for his exceptional dribbling ability.
Sanmartean is also regarded by coach Ioan Sabău as Romania's most talented player since Hagi. However, much of his career was marked by injury. He is the former Romania U-21 captain, earned his first cap in an exhibition match against Croatia on 20 November 2002. Because of the hepatitis rumours he lost for a few months the national team, but he was recalled for the friendly against Lithuania. On 23 May 2011, he was recalled for the Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, following Victor Piturca's appointment as Romanian national team's coach, Sanmartean was not called for the friendly against San Marino, despite his good shape. The Romanian fans started a petition called "Sanmartean at the National team" on Facebook but it had no effect because he was not included in the squad once again. Nevertheless, Lucian was called up for the qualifying matches vs. Belarus and Albania in October 2011. He is also called up for the European Championship 2016 in France. |
