Albanians abroad

[Dallku]

You're ignoring the money they get, these guys could only dream of getting that kind of money while playing in Albania or the eastern block countries.

They don't get paid much but they do get paid more than in Albania but that's the problem. It's not that those other nations like Iran, Kuwait, relegation/2nd division Turkey, etc pay them Saudi money money but they do pay them them the bare minimum which Albania is not capable of. It's like Sadiku going to Bolivia that one time. You really believe starving Bolivia paid much?? No but he probably got a few more dollars than he would get in Albania.

Serbia, Romania, Croatia are all good examples. They don't pay their players that much but they cover the minimum. When we talk about Albanian clubs getting their shit together that's what we're talking about.

[RedFootballs]

Watching some of Mario Mitaj's highlights makes me so impressed, so expressive, calm and free with the ball, he looks like he just enjoys himself, impeccable composure and technique.

A shame he doesn't push for more in his career.

[Aurora Bulkualis]

Watching some of Mario Mitaj's highlights makes me so impressed, so expressive, calm and free with the ball, he looks like he just enjoys himself, impeccable composure and technique.

A shame he doesn't push for more in his career.

He gets stuck in shit leagues. Once you go to Russia, Saudi, etc. it's very hard to come back.

Unlike Asani, he's being coached by Laurent Blanc and playing with Benzema and Kante though.

[RedFootballs]

Does this guy know where he's going and what's going on over there? Next up Seferi moves to Gaza.

They are undesired in Europe. Not even 2nd division teams will look at them. The closest to Europe they can play at is Ukraine(because of war), Russia like Daku (because they are banished by FIFA/UEFA) and relegation Turkey.

This is why it's unfortunate the Albanian league is so amateurish. If it was even a little semi-pro it would gather all these European rejects and fringe NT players which would make the league more interesting and odds for qualifying to the Conference League would increase. That would be the ideal scenario. The best example of this is Romania. All their fringe/lower level NT players play domestically.

To be honest I can only assume Asani went there for religious reasons, I find it hard to believe this Iranian team made him a better offer than other teams, you can say what you will about him but Asani is perfectly capable to play in leagues like Croatia, relegation Turkey, Sweden, Switzerland or wherever else.

Moving to Iran is frankly hilarious, on top of being a shit footballing nation, it was a month or two ago bombs were dropping on Tehran.

What you say about our league compared to the other smaller European nations is absolutely true, 100%. For a variety of reasons, domestic players would prefer to play in their home countries, even if they have better offers from elsewhere, because comfort, familiarity and knowing the language are huge pluses in deciding a player's destination. The only reason they aren't playing in Albania (such players like Asani, Seferi or whoever) is because as you correctly say we don't even do the bare minimum there when it comes to being professional. Not even the bare minimum, the Albanian league is professional in name only.

If it just paid the wages you'd expect professional leagues to do we could build a half decent league and qualify to Conference League with a few teams, maybe EL sometimes.

The only actual professional Albanian club to ever exist is Skenderbeu. None of the others can really be considered professional other than in name only. And half of that is because they were making a killing throwing matches.

The other thing about Manaj going to Dubai is they gave him a salary of 2.5 mill per year (I know it personally and media confirmed it). There is very little chance he gets even half if he plays in some relegation Serie A team as a bench or rotation guy, that is what a serious pro would do, but Manaj has never been a serious professional, so that is a very good decision for him.