Bajraktarević, who was nicknamed the Messi of Milwaukee during his career, made history in March when he qualified Bosnia and Herzegovina for the World Cup by eliminating Italy.
Although he did not grow up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 21-year-old grew up with burek and kebabs. His parents fled from war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina and settled in Appleton, Wisconsin, a town with about 75,000 inhabitants, he writes. Fox Sports.
Bosnian language was spoken at home, Bosnian music was listened to, and he and his brother spent hours playing football in the yard. They practiced penalties every day by imagining the legendary German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in goal. Bajraktarević dreamed of one day scoring a goal at the World Cup.
That’s why, when he came up to take the decisive penalty against Italy on a cold night in Zenica, he was ready for that moment. A few meters behind him stood his idol Edin Dzeko.
“here it is”Bajraktarević said to himself. “I can bring victory.”
He then sent the ball under Italian captain and Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with his left foot. When the ball ended up in the net, the PSV Eindhoven winger ran towards the fans, took off his shirt and held it up in front of the enthusiastic crowd.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life”said Bajraktarević, admitting with a laugh that somewhere there is a recording of him crying.
“It was a dream come true. It sounds like a cliché, but I can’t describe it any other way.”
His goal meant Italy would miss out on a third consecutive World Cup, while Bosnia and Herzegovina earned a place in a group with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
This summer, Bajraktarević will return to the United States to play in the World Cup in front of family and friends. He previously played for the USA youth national team, and made his debut for the senior national team in 2024 under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino.
However, later that year he made the difficult decision to change his sports citizenship and play for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The American Federation tried to keep him, but the connection with the roots was stronger.
“This is what I dreamed about since childhood – to represent my country on the biggest stage”said Bajraktarević.
“I didn’t compare national teams. Bosnia invited me and that was special for me.”
His father Elmir also had football talent, but the war ended his dreams of a professional career. “That’s all I’ve known since I was little”says Esmir.
His football role models were Cristiano Ronaldo and Edin Dzeko, who took him under his wing when he joined the national team.
“It’s amazing. I have no words to describe what it’s like. It’s one of my friends today, which is crazy”said Bajraktarević, talking about Džeka.
His football journey began in Milwaukee and Chicago, before he was noticed by the scouts of the New England Revolution. At the age of 16, he moved to Massachusetts to play for the MLS club’s youth academy.
The beginning was not easy. He often cried, and his mother sent him packages of bananas – a popular candy from the Balkans – that reminded him of home.
Very quickly he began to attract attention with his talent. Already on his first day at the academy, he made a strong impression on technical director Curt Onalf, who said:
“We need to transfer him to another team immediately.”
Not long after, he signed for another team, and a year later he got a contract for the first team of the New England Revolution. He later became the first player from the club’s academy residential program to reach the first team.
“He’s technically incredible. His ball control is better than most players”said Onalfo.
Because of his moves and dribbling, his teammates nicknamed him the Milwaukee Messi, and the nickname quickly spread through the media.
Bajraktarević laughingly looked back on the comparison with Lionel Messi: “He’s one of the greatest of all time.”
He will never forget the moment he played against the Argentine star in MLS.
“He walked past me and I was just looking at him. It was unreal”he recalled.
After 45 appearances for the New England Revolution, he moved to PSV Eindhoven in January 2025, where he won two Dutch league titles.
Since then, his status is growing day by day, especially after the goal against Italy, and the interest of big European clubs, including Everton, is being mentioned more and more often.
Check out this post on Instagram.
He made his debut for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 7, 2024, against the Netherlands in the League of Nations, when he assisted Edina Džeki for a goal.
Since then, he made 14 appearances and became one of the key players of the national team.
His decision to choose Bosnia and Herzegovina over the USA was a difficult one, but those who know him well were not surprised. “He was born in America, but he has a very European upbringing”said Onalfo.
Today, many see him as the future of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will play their first match at the World Cup against Canada on June 12 in Toronto, and his family will be in the stands.
“He’s Living His Dream”said Onalfo. “And it’s a really beautiful story.”
(Vijesti.ba)
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