How “Made in Romania” Became a Viral Anthem: From Manele to Locker Rooms Across Europe

Have you wondered about the story of “Made in Romania,” the football anthem which can be heard in football lockers across Europe? Here is what the Romanian artist sings and what is the translation of the lyrics. The music genre is “manele,” a specific one for Romania, inspired by Balkan beats.

Manele is a vibrant tapestry of Romanian dance music, woven from threads of traditional folk melodies, pulsating Balkan rhythms, and modern pop sensibilities, with a touch of intoxicating Eastern flair.

So, forget chants, forget anthems – European football has a new victory song, and it’s blasting out of locker rooms in a language you might not expect. “Made in Romania” by Ionut Cercel, a pulsating Manele banger, has undergone a stunning transformation, morphing from a Romanian dancefloor staple to a viral phenomenon uniting teams across the continent.

The story begins not on the pitch but on social media. Hakan Calhanoglu, a Turkish midfielder for Inter Milan with a penchant for Balkan beats, fired up “Made in Romania” in the locker room after the team clinched the Serie A title. The celebratory video went viral, sparking a trend. Suddenly, teams from Greece, Bulgaria, and even beyond were blasting the catchy tune after victories.

But “Made in Romania’s” charm lies in its message of unity. The lyrics, though simple (“It doesn’t matter who you are or what language you speak, this is your country, Romania”) resonate with a broader European audience. Fans, united by their love for the sport, embrace the song’s message of inclusivity, transforming it into a pan-European anthem.

Made in Romania by Ionut Cercel – Lyrics and Translation

Romanian Original Lyrics of the Song “Made in Romania”

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau țigan suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau oltean suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

Nu contează cine ești sau ce limbă vorbești
Asta e țara ta, România
Nu contează cine ești sau ce limbă vorbești
Asta e țara ta, România
Solo, i-auzi cea mai nouă
Hai cu moldoveanu’, cu ardeleanu’, bucureșteanu’
Haide sus țiganu’
Și cu olteanu’, cu moldoveanu’, cu ardeleanu’ (da da da)
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau țigan suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau oltean suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

Nu contează unde stai sau ce dialect ai
Distrează-te și bea că-i țara ta
Nu contează unde stai sau ce dialect ai
Distrează-te și bea că-i țara ta
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau țigan suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau oltean suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

Nu contează cine ești sau ce limbă vorbești
Asta e țara ta, România
Nu contează unde stai sau ce dialect ai
Distrează-te și bea că-i țara ta
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau țigan suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)
Chiar dacă ești moldovean, ardelean sau oltean suntem made in Romanie (iali iali iali)

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

English Translation of the Song “Made in Romania”

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Gypsy, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali]
Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Oltean, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali].

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

It doesn’t matter who you are or what language you speak
This is your country, Romania.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what language you speak
This is your country, Romania.

Come with a Moldovan, an Ardelean, a Bucharest
Come on, gypsy.
And with Olteanu, with Moldoveanu, with Transylvanian [dadadadadaa].

Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Gypsy, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali]
Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Oltean, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali].

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

It doesn’t matter where you live or what dialect you speak
Have fun and drink like it’s the country.
It doesn’t matter where you live or what dialect you speak
Have fun and drink because it’s your country.

Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Gypsy, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali]
Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Oltean, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali].

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

It doesn’t matter who you are or what language you speak
This is your country, Romania.
It doesn’t matter where you live or what dialect you speak
Have fun and drink because it’s you country.

Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Gypsy, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali]
Even if you are Moldovan, Transylvanian or Oltean, we are Made in Romania [iali iali iali].

Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania
Da dumla dumla da da dumla dumla da
Daga dumla dumla da made in Romania

One thing’s for sure: “Made in Romania” is a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and cultures. From a Romanian artist to the locker rooms of Europe, this song’s journey is a reminder that sometimes, the biggest hits come from the most unexpected places.