CLUJ, Romania (AP) -Juan Culio's two-goal performance for CFR Cluj in its upset win at AS Roma has prompted calls for the Argentine to receive Romanian citizenship.
The 25-year-old midfielder scored a goal in each half Tuesday to lead Cluj to a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Roma in its first ever Champions League game.
"I've called (the authorities) and said that if there are some players who are playing well we should naturalize them," Romanian Football Federation head Mircea Sandu said Wednesday.
Juan Culio has previously indicated interest in becoming a Romanian citizen, and Romania coach Victor Piturca said Tuesday he would like him in the team.
Juan Culio scored in the 27th and 49th minutes at Stadio Olimpico in a performance that even surprised Cluj's Italian coach, Maurizio Trombetta.
"Starting this way at this level is incredible," Trombetta said.
Juan Culio had a poor childhood, working as a builder from the age of 13 to support his family. He began playing football as a teenager in his home city of Mercedes, south of Buenos Aires, but was unable to afford to travel to the capital to play.
He was discovered by a scout while playing in a poor neighborhood at 19, and turned out the next day for CS Deportivo Flandria in the third division of the Argentine league.
Juan Culio, who has only scored one goal this season in the Romanian league with Cluj in seventh place, joined the club in 2007 from Chilean team Deportes La Serena.
"It was a leap into the unknown but I'm happy I did it," he said.
The Romanian media enthused Wednesday about the performance of Cluj and Juan Culio.
"CFR set Rome alight," read the headline of Evenimentul Zilei. "CFR Cluj detonated a bomb last night managing a stunning victory." Others just said: "Emperor Culio."
In the Transylvanian city of Cluj that has a population of 300,000, hundreds of people took to the streets late Tuesday, honking horns, playing music and waving flags, and setting off fireworks.
"Chelsea don't forget - your time will also come," shouted fans, referring to Cluj's home match in Group A on Oct. 1.
