Alexandru Mățan

Alexandru Irinel Mățan (born 29 August 1999) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.

Viitorul Constanța
An academy graduate of Viitorul Constanța, Mățan made his Liga I debut on 6 May 2016, aged 16. He entered as a 63rd-minute substitute for Ciprian Perju and converted a penalty kick in the 3–3 away draw at Dinamo București.

Mățan made his first appearance in European competitions on 12 July 2018, starting in a 2–0 away win over Luxembourgish team Racing FC in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

On 6 July 2019, Mățan played the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory over CFR Cluj for the season's Supercupa României. He subsequently participated in five of the following six games, starting all of them, which included both legs of his team's 7–5 aggregate loss to Gent in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. He was then sent on a loan for the remainder of the season to fellow league club Voluntari, amassing 25 games and netting once during his stint.

Columbus Crew
On 8 March 2021, Mățan joined American team Columbus Crew in a transfer rumored to be worth around €1.5 million. He made his Major League Soccer debut on 18 April, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute for Pedro Santos in a goalless draw with Philadelphia Union.

Mățan registered his first CONCACAF Champions League game 11 days later, a 2–2 home draw with Mexican side Monterrey. Playing mainly as a left winger, he totaled 30 matches in all competitions during his first season in Ohio, starting in only nine of them and failing to score.

Loan to Rapid București
After falling down the pecking order for the Columbus Crew and featuring for the reserve team, Mățan was sent on a five-month loan to Rapid București on 9 August 2022, with the loan also including a purchase option. He made his debut for "the White-Burgundies" four days later, in a 1–0 away derby loss to Petrolul Ploiești.

On 23 December 2022, it was announced that Mățan's loan ended, with the player having made only six appearances due to a stress fracture suffered on his toe.

Return to Columbus Crew
Mățan returned to Columbus at the start of 2023, after Rapid București did not trigger the purchase option in his loan. On 18 March, he scored his first goal for the Crew in a 2–1 league loss to New York Red Bulls.

International career
On 21 March 2018, Mățan scored twice for the Romania national under-19 team in a 4–0 victory over Serbia at the Ilie Oană Stadium in Ploiești.

In 2021, Mățan featured for the under-21 side in the UEFA European Championship. He made three appearances in the eventual group-stage exit, and contributed with the equaliser in a 2–1 win against hosts Hungary on 27 March.

Style of play
A diminutive playmaker, Mățan is typically deployed as an attacking midfielder, although he occasionally takes on the role of a left winger. As a left winger, he often cuts inside towards the center of the pitch, making use of his stronger right foot for dribbling and showcasing his flair. Moreover, he maintains a commendable work rate, contributing effectively to both offensive and defensive phases of the game. Mățan exhibits above-average dribbling skills, along with notable speed and agility.

Honours
Viitorul Constanța
 * Cupa României: 2018–19
 * Supercupa României: 2019

Columbus Crew
 * MLS Cup: 2023
 * Campeones Cup: 2021