Marinel Risnita was born on 16 January 1955 in Romania. He would go on to star for Rapid Bucharest in the Romanian League.

He played in three games for the Romanian Under 21 National Team, making his debut on September 25, 1973 against East Germany.

He played for Rapid Bucharest in the 1975-1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup against Anderlecht.

Before the start of the 1982 National Soccer League season Marinel joined Toronto Italia. He was a member of the Toronto Italia team that defeated Glasgow Celtic 4-1 on July 16, 1982.

Toronto Italia won the 1983 National Soccer League Playoff Championship.

Marinel scored the game-winning goal of the 1985 National Soccer League Playoff Championship to help Italia clinch the 1985 NSL Championship.

He spent the 1987 National Soccer League season with the newly-formed Toronto Internacional.