Bro, you won't believe what I just heard! Costel Pantilimon, the former national team goalkeeper, was asked to name the greatest Romanian goalkeeper of all time. And you think he picked Helmut Duckadam or Iordache, right? Well, no way! He picked himself! Yep, for real, that's what he said on the show "Poveștile Sport.ro".
Listen to how he dropped it: "The best Romanian goalkeeper of all time is... Costel Pantilimon!" He said it laughing, but I know he meant it with full conviction. He admitted he wanted to say Vasile Iordache, about whom he heard "a lot of extraordinary things," and he also mentioned Bogdan Stelea, but in the end he chose himself. Man, what nerve, bro! I like the guy, but putting yourself ahead of legends... seems a bit too much.
Now, let's be serious: Pantilimon does have an impressive career. He played for Poli Timișoara, Manchester City, Sunderland, Watford, Nottingham Forest. He's the only Romanian champion in the Premier League, and not just once, but twice! He also won a Community Shield and a League Cup with Manchester City. 27 caps for the national team. Not bad, but comparing yourself to Iordache or Duckadam? Nah, I'm not buying it.
If you ask me, the greatest Romanian goalkeepers remain Iordache, Duckadam, Prunea, Lobonț. Maybe Stelea too. Pantilimon is good, but putting himself first... seems like too much. But hey, everyone has their opinion. Maybe he's just joking. Who knows, maybe he really believes it.
Anyway, I'm going to tell Brian to stop dreaming about being the national team goalkeeper, because if these guys brag like this, he's better off playing FIFA on console. That's it, bro, Romania!
