Albanian Football Forum

Ironic that the only players who are in great form (Muci, Berisha, Mehmeti) are completely ignored by the NT

We desperately need to strengthen our midfield. Hopeful Medon becomes a leader.

ReyM9 wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:10 pm Ironic that the only players who are in great form (Muci, Berisha, Mehmeti) are completely ignored by the NT

The interesting thing about most Albanians players is that their club form doesn't necessarily match their NT form. I still think Muci and Mehmeti deserve call-ups.

Lots of factors go into it..

-international game usually plays at a slower pace (can throw some players off their game)
-slow integration within the team/not much time to build chemistry with the others
-requirement to defend for 90 minutes that comes with playing for a smaller country

I honestly believe even Messi would struggle playing for Albania.

Messi lacks the size (listed 1.70m), work rate (never the player to run all match), and defensive ability to be an effective winger for Albania.

Have to give CR7 the edge over him all-time (and it’s not that close) because with the size and athleticism, he could excel anywhere.

By the way, 10 goals between the 2 semi-finals in MLS..

In for an awesome final between Inter Miami and Vancouver this weekend!

Inter Miami has looked like a new team since benching Suarez..

Vancouver has been the best team in MLS all year with excellent players up and down the roster!

After EPL, it’s the best football you can watch!

Even Uzuni has looked much improved since getting that experience playing in MLS!

Raketa wrote: Thu Dec 04, 2025 9:28 pm
I honestly believe even Messi would struggle playing for Albania.

Have you ever seen Messi pass the ball?? All you have to do is run straight and the ball will find you lol

Who he gonna pass to?

Our guys can’t finish..

Albania barely has the ball in big games either.

Other than that, I believe he’d be a big time liability.

Low work rate, doesn’t really press or defend at all.

Imagine the pressure on the fullback behind Messi..

Raketa wrote: Sun Dec 07, 2025 4:48 pm Who he gonna pass to?

Our guys can’t finish..

Albania barely has the ball in big games either.

Other than that, I believe he’d be a big time liability.

Low work rate, doesn’t really press or defend at all.

Imagine the pressure on the fullback behind Messi..

Not true at all.

Albania struggles with chance creation not finishing. It may seem like they suck at finishing because they miss the very few chances they get but nobody is that efficient. You are not going to score 100% of your chances so you need to create enough xg to eventually score.

Albanian players prove that they can score at their clubs when the playing field is more equal.

Messi would make players like Manaj look like world beaters with the sitters they would get.

To create lots of chances, you have to play fast..

Albania as a smaller country tries to slow the game down and stifle the opponent.

Even with Messi, I don’t see us creating many chances.

Defensively and on set pieces it would cost us though.

FSHF mentality is why do you need Messi when we have Sokol Cikaleshi?

Muci with two goals yesterday for a legit team in Turkey. Yes, Turkey has alot of bad teams in it but there are so really good teams in it as well like Galatasary (which might be a champions league caliber team in Italy or France).

Mehmeti and Berisha both have been solid as well in competitive leagues. Albania clearly has attacking talent it's time to use it. Guys like Bajrami and Asani are clearly done and we should thank them for their service as without them we wouldn't qualify for 2024 but it's time to move on. Hoxha should be a subsitute. Rey Manaj obviously shouldn't be in the lineup but he'll be the new Cikaleshi where he's playing until hes 32 and only scoring tap ins against Malta.

If Albania could get a real striker and if the manager can have some common sense Albania could transition into an attacking team and they probably will need to since the defensive talent in the pipeline isn't there. There's no replacements for Hysaj, Gym and Ajeti. I guess Kumbulla could but that's a big if since he's injury prone.