 After a game with FC Argeș, Romanian newspaper Gazeta Sporturilor named him Bănelinho.On 27 August 2008, he has scored one goal in the match against Galatasaray, in the third qualifying round of UEFA Champions League, which sent Steaua București to the group stage for the third consecutive year.Starting with the 2010–11 season, Bănel was the new captain of Steaua, but with the arrival of new coach Ilie Dumitrescu, he soon gave his armband to Cristian Tănase.