SOCCER PLAYERS from Kosovo

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Kosovar Soccer Players of all time. This list of famous Kosovar Soccer Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Kosovar Soccer Players.

1. Xherdan Shaqiri (b. 1991)

With an HPI of 58.68, Xherdan Shaqiri is the most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 65 different languages on wikipedia.

Xherdan Shaqiri (Albanian pronunciation: [dʒɛrˈdan ʃaˈciɾi]; born 10 October 1991) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Swiss Super League club Basel. Shaqiri rose through the youth ranks at Basel. In his three years playing for the Basel first-team, he was an important player in the team that won three Swiss Super League titles. He moved to Bayern Munich in 2012, where he won three Bundesliga titles in his three seasons at the club. He faced stiff competition at Bayern and did not nail down a first-team spot. In January 2015, he moved to Inter Milan for a fee of €15 million. After half a season at Inter, Shaqiri moved to Stoke City in the summer of 2015 for a club record £12 million. After Stoke's relegation from the Premier League in 2018, Shaqiri was transferred to Liverpool for a reported £13.5 million fee. He was part of the UEFA Champions League winning squad in his first season. He also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019, as well as the Premier League in 2020, Liverpool's first league title in 30 years. A full international from 2010 until 2024, Shaqiri earned 125 caps and scored 32 goals for Switzerland, making him the country's third-most capped player and fourth-highest goalscorer. He represented the nation at four FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), as well as three UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024).

2. Lorik Cana (b. 1983)

With an HPI of 54.98, Lorik Cana is the 2nd most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 47 different languages.

Lorik Agim Cana (Albanian pronunciation: [ˈlɔɾik ˈtsana]; born 27 July 1983) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back or midfielder. He is currently the Grassroots ambassador for children's football in Albania, a role assigned by the Albanian Football Association on 26 October 2017. Cana played in the top divisions of France, England, Italy and Turkey, representing Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Sunderland, Galatasaray, Lazio and Nantes. He also represented the Albania national team, making 94 appearances from his debut in 2002 until his retirement in 2016. Initially a defensive and central midfielder, he later transitioned into a centre-back role. Cana captained Albania at their first major international tournament, UEFA Euro 2016 in France. At the age of 16, Cana was invited for a trial with Arsenal but was unable to attend due to being denied a British visa. He began his senior club career with Paris Saint-Germain before signing for their rivals Marseille in 2004, where he went on to become captain. In 2009, Cana joined Sunderland, becoming the first player of Albanian origin to play in the Premier League and was appointed captain immediately. He later played for Galatasaray in Turkey and then signed for Italian Serie A club Lazio in 2011, where he spent four seasons. During his career, Cana won the Coupe de France in 2003–04 with Paris Saint-Germain and the Coppa Italia in 2012–13 with Lazio. In 2015, Cana returned to France, signing a two-year contract with Nantes. Eligible to represent Albania, Switzerland or France, as he held all three passports, He chose Albania and made his international debut in June 2003 at the age of 19. Cana was named captain in 2011 and retired from international football following UEFA Euro 2016, making a total of 94 appearances, setting a record for the most caps in national team history, which he held until 2025 when it was surpassed by Elseid Hysaj.

3. Etrit Berisha (b. 1989)

With an HPI of 48.55, Etrit Berisha is the 3rd most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 37 different languages.

Etrit Fadil Berisha (Albanian pronunciation: [ˈɛtɾit bɛˈɾiʃa]; born 10 March 1989) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Allsvenskan club BK Häcken and the Albania national team. Berisha began his footballing journey in his hometown with 2 Korriku, later spending several formative years at KEK-u before returning to 2 Korriku, where he progressed to the senior setup. In 2007, he briefly trained with Bashkimi in Kumanovo, under coach Bylbyl Sokoli, gaining early experience in a professional environment. Later that year, following a successful trial arranged by Albert Bunjaki, he joined Swedish side Kalmar FF as part of their youth setup. After a short loan spell at Lindsdals IF in 2009 to gain first-team experience, Berisha was promoted to Kalmar’s senior squad ahead of the 2010 Allsvenskan, making his professional debut that April and swiftly establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising young goalkeepers. During his four seasons with the club, he became a key figure in Kalmar’s defensive setup, noted for his composure, shot-stopping ability, and leadership from the back. Between 2010 and 2013, Berisha made over 70 league appearances and was an ever-present figure in his final two campaigns. His consistent performances culminated in being named the Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2013 season, prior to completing a move to Italian side Lazio later that year. Known for his confidence in penalty situations, Berisha also converted several spot-kicks for Kalmar across all competitions. In the summer of 2013, Italian club Chievo announced that they had reached a pre-contract agreement with Berisha, but he instead signed a four-year deal with fellow Serie A side Lazio. The transfer caused controversy, with Chievo claiming a breach of agreement that led to Berisha facing a potential six-month suspension, although the case was eventually dropped. Berisha joined Italian Serie A club Lazio, marking the beginning of his career in one of Europe’s top leagues. During his three-year spell in Rome, he served primarily as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper behind Federico Marchetti, but nevertheless earned a reputation for reliability whenever called upon. Berisha featured prominently during the 2013–14 season under coaches Vladimir Petković and Edoardo Reja, excelling both in Serie A and in European competitions, and later played a key role in Lazio’s run to the 2014–15 Coppa Italia final. Despite his strong performances, increased competition for the starting spot and the emergence of fellow Albanian Thomas Strakosha eventually led to his departure from the club in 2016. Berisha joined Atalanta in 2016, initially on loan from Lazio, and quickly established himself as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in Serie A under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. During his three seasons with the Bergamo-based club, he played a vital role in Atalanta’s rise to prominence, contributing to their record-breaking league finishes and European qualification campaigns. Berisha was instrumental in the club’s historic fourth-place finish in 2016–17, and continued to feature prominently in both domestic and European competitions over the following years. His performances — highlighted by key clean sheets, penalty saves, and leadership in a developing squad — helped solidify Atalanta’s reputation as one of Italy’s most exciting teams, before he eventually lost his starting position to Pierluigi Gollini and departed in 2019. In July 2019, Berisha joined SPAL on loan with an obligation to buy, becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper upon arrival. He made 29 appearances during the 2019–20 season before a hand injury ruled him out of the final matches, with SPAL eventually being relegated from Serie A. Remaining with the team in Serie B, Berisha retained his starting role throughout the 2020–21 campaign, recording multiple clean sheets and featuring in 27 matches across all competitions, including a run to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. His consistency and experience earned him recognition as one of SPAL’s most reliable performers during his two-year spell with the club. In July 2021, Berisha joined Torino, where he initially served as a backup before earning several starting appearances in the latter half of the 2021–22 season, recording multiple clean sheets including one against eventual Serie A champions Milan. The following season, he did not feature in any competitive matches amid reports of a training-ground disagreement with head coach Ivan Jurić, eventually leaving the club in 2023. In August 2023, Berisha signed with Serie A side Empoli, where he initially served as backup before becoming first-choice following an injury to Elia Caprile. He impressed early in the campaign with a series of standout performances — including saving a penalty from Dušan Vlahović on his debut against Juventus and producing decisive displays against Fiorentina and Napoli. Despite his strong form, a later spell on the sidelines due to injury and the return of Caprile saw him lose the starting spot, and Berisha eventually left the club as a free agent at the end of the 2023–24 season. In 2025, after nearly a year without a club, Berisha joined Swedish side BK Häcken, marking a successful return to Scandinavian football. He quickly re-established himself as a starter, playing a decisive role in Häcken’s 2025 Svenska Cupen triumph and earning a contract extension until 2027. The victory granted Häcken qualification for the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League qualifying, where Berisha delivered several decisive performances helping the team progress up to the third round before transitioned to the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League league phase, in which he made his debut in October 2025. Berisha was born in Kosovo and was eligible to represent Albania through his Albanian ethnicity. He received his first call-up to the Albania national team in 2012 from Italian head coach Gianni De Biasi, making his international debut in a friendly match against Iran on 27 May 2012. Initially serving as a backup to Samir Ujkani, Berisha became Albania's first-choice goalkeeper after a few appearances, with Ujkani later switching to represent the Kosovo following its FIFA recognition in 2014. Over the following decade, Berisha was a constant presence for Albania, featuring in multiple FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA European Championship qualifying campaigns, as well as in several editions of the UEFA Nations League. He represented Albania at UEFA Euro 2016—the nation’s first-ever major tournament—and was also part of the final squad for UEFA Euro 2024. During his international career, he served as captain and set national goalkeeping records for most clean sheets and most consecutive matches played.

4. Amir Rrahmani (b. 1994)

With an HPI of 48.30, Amir Rrahmani is the 4th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  Her biography has been translated into 28 different languages.

Amir Kadri Rrahmani (born 24 February 1994) is a Kosovar professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Napoli and captains the Kosovo national team.

5. Goran Đorović (b. 1971)

With an HPI of 46.32, Goran Đorović is the 5th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Goran Đorović (Serbian Cyrillic: Горан Ђopoвић; born 11 November 1971) is a Serbian former professional footballer who played mainly a central defender but also as a left-back. In his country, he played for Priština and Red Star. He spent the rest of his career in Spain after arriving there in 1997, representing Celta, Deportivo and Elche. Đorović went into coaching upon retiring, serving as the manager of the Serbian national under-21 team.

6. Albert Bunjaku (b. 1983)

With an HPI of 44.48, Albert Bunjaku is the 6th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 26 different languages.

Albert Bunjaku (born 29 November 1983) is a Kosovan professional football coach and former player who is the assistant manager of the youth team at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the manager of the Kosovo national under-19 team.

7. Fatos Bećiraj (b. 1988)

With an HPI of 43.84, Fatos Bećiraj is the 7th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Fatos Bećiraj (Montenegrin: Фатос Бећирај, Albanian: Fatos Besim Beqiraj; born 5 May 1988) is a Montenegrin former professional footballer who played as a striker.

8. Emir Bajrami (b. 1988)

With an HPI of 43.68, Emir Bajrami is the 8th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 28 different languages.

Emir Bajrami (born 7 March 1988) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a winger. Starting off his professional career with IF Elfsborg in 2006, he went on to represent FC Twente, AS Monaco, and Panathinaikos before retiring at Elfsborg in 2018. A full international between 2010 and 2012, he won 18 caps for the Sweden national team and was included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2012. He is the joint Assistant Manager of Aberdeen FC.

9. Besart Berisha (b. 1985)

With an HPI of 43.64, Besart Berisha is the 9th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  Her biography has been translated into 41 different languages.

Besart Selim Berisha (born 29 July 1985) is a Kosovan professional football coach and former player who is the current assistant manager of Kosovo Superleague club Prishtina.

10. Debatik Curri (b. 1983)

With an HPI of 40.59, Debatik Curri is the 10th most famous Kosovar Soccer Player.  His biography has been translated into 18 different languages.

Debatik Nazmi Curri (born 28 December 1983) is a Kosovar professional football coach and former player. From 2006 to 2015 he was also part of Albania national team, collecting 44 appearances and scoring once. He began his career as a defensive midfielder, but his position was changed to a centre-back when he joined the Albania national team in 2006.