Albanians abroad

[RedFootballs]

I don't consider these guys who play for other countries as Albanian footballers and I hate how much Albanian fans obsess over them and write about them, and generally support them, when they don't play for our country and are representing another federation.

I harbour no ill will to any of them whatsoever. They simply shouldn't have the support of our fans and our country when they aren't representing us and have chosen to help their home country.

Gruda is a German footballer and that's how it is unless he wants to play for Albania in the future. They should be writing about him in Germany, but Albanian fans need to stop caring about these guys who decided they want to score goals for other countries. They aren't our footballers and ethnicity doesn't change that.

Maybe if Albanians fans were more committed to this principle then players would have more motive, if only slightly, to switch to us. Our country's fans are still giving unconditional love to players like Shaqiri and claiming them as ours even though he's been a mainstay in another national team that directly competes against us.

For example, talking of Shaqiri, the eagle stuff... if you were such patriot, why don't you play for your home country that suffered at the hands of Serbs? That is just one example, but there are many others of Albanian ethnicity players with other national teams trying to claim pride and show off their Albanian heritage, they are so patriotic that they prioritise playing with a better national team over helping their home country that's so dear to them.

We need to stop supporting these players as Albanian fans and our newspapers need to stop writing about them as if they're our players. They belong to another country and if they want to play for them they shouldn't have the privilege of having massive fanbases from other nationalities.

[artan]

We need to be honest with ourselves and admit that the FSHF would have ruined any diaspora talent from 10-15 years ago. Shaqiri would have probably been benched for someone like Emiljano Villa. The more I think of it the better they play for those countries who actually nurture them instead of propping up a corrupt FSHF regime.

[Princ]

In Albania, success of imported athletes (footballers, wrestlers, etc.) is sold as success of bureaucrats (FSHF, KOKSH) and of politicians.

With this environment, who in their right mind would bring their son or daughter to represent Albania, if exists any chance at all to represent the diaspora nation?

Albania should be happy to be just a 2nd option..

[engineer123]

In Albania, success of imported athletes (footballers, wrestlers, etc.) is sold as success of bureaucrats (FSHF, KOKSH) and of politicians.

With this environment, who in their right mind would bring their son or daughter to represent Albania, if exists any chance at all to represent the diaspora nation?

Albania should be happy to be just a 2nd option..

While what you are saying about politicians, KOKSH, FSHF, etc is absolutely true, there is no way my son, who is born here in Germany to 2 albanian parents, would represent any National Team, other than Albania.
It does ot matter how good he is going to be.
I also don't care if he gets called from Germany, because there is no way you get the same emotions playing for any country than your own.

[Dallku]

I don't consider these guys who play for other countries as Albanian footballers and I hate how much Albanian fans obsess over them and write about them, and generally support them, when they don't play for our country and are representing another federation.

I harbour no ill will to any of them whatsoever. They simply shouldn't have the support of our fans and our country when they aren't representing us and have chosen to help their home country.

Gruda is a German footballer and that's how it is unless he wants to play for Albania in the future. They should be writing about him in Germany, but Albanian fans need to stop caring about these guys who decided they want to score goals for other countries. They aren't our footballers and ethnicity doesn't change that.

Maybe if Albanians fans were more committed to this principle then players would have more motive, if only slightly, to switch to us. Our country's fans are still giving unconditional love to players like Shaqiri and claiming them as ours even though he's been a mainstay in another national team that directly competes against us.

For example, talking of Shaqiri, the eagle stuff... if you were such patriot, why don't you play for your home country that suffered at the hands of Serbs? That is just one example, but there are many others of Albanian ethnicity players with other national teams trying to claim pride and show off their Albanian heritage, they are so patriotic that they prioritise playing with a better national team over helping their home country that's so dear to them.

We need to stop supporting these players as Albanian fans and our newspapers need to stop writing about them as if they're our players. They belong to another country and if they want to play for them they shouldn't have the privilege of having massive fanbases from other nationalities.

It's all inferiority complexes and stockholm syndrome.

but if you think about it, it goes deeper. Albanians are one of the few people who like their conquerors/invaders (Turks). It's all connected.

[Aurora Bulkualis]

The only thing these guys are guilty of is being completely delusional. He will never break into the Germany first team. Januzaj syndrome.

[Redijupison]

The only thing these guys are guilty of is being completely delusional. He will never break into the Germany first team. Januzaj syndrome.

Lol, don't be so bitter, Gruda has the potential to become a world class player and so did Januzaj. Albania got very lucky with Asllani and Broja, because these big football countries usually detect the potentially great players very early.

[ZenMaster]

The only thing these guys are guilty of is being completely delusional. He will never break into the Germany first team. Januzaj syndrome.

Lol, don't be so bitter, Gruda has the potential to become a world class player and so did Januzaj. Albania got very lucky with Asllani and Broja, because these big football countries usually detect the potentially great players very early.

He isn't being bitter but that's factual, he might play 4-5 Nations League games for Germany but that's it. It's all about money and career path so i don't blame Gruda or any player who chooses his best career prospects but let's put brakes on, he hqd positive season 4 goals and 3 assists in Mainz team which fought hard to avoid relegation. Gruda might have an advantage in beggining because of german manager but it won't be simple to get minutes if Mitoma and Adingra remain at the club.

[Aurora Bulkualis]

The only thing these guys are guilty of is being completely delusional. He will never break into the Germany first team. Januzaj syndrome.

Lol, don't be so bitter, Gruda has the potential to become a world class player and so did Januzaj. Albania got very lucky with Asllani and Broja, because these big football countries usually detect the potentially great players very early.

In retrospect Januzaj did not have that potential, and Gruda is not going to beat Sane, Musiala and Wirtz for a spot.



Even his overpaid fee is pocket change compared to Germany's starters.

[artan]

I think we can all agree Gruda is not like the other German diaspora players. Gruda is considered a top young player and it's clear he currently has potential to be a German NT player. Wether he makes it or not is another thing but at the moment it's not foolish to think he can be on their 2026 World Cup roster.

And comparing him to Sane and Havertz is silly and I don't think anyone truly thinks both of them are worth 70 million euros each. They are some of the most overrated players in the world.