Esmir Bajraktarevic

Esmir Bajraktarević[2] (born March 10, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.[3][4] He has been nicknamed "The Milwaukee Messi" by his teammates.[5][6]

Esmir Bajraktarević
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-03-10) March 10, 2005
Place of birth Appleton, Wisconsin, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 New England Revolution
Number 47
Youth career
0000–2019 SC Waukesha
2019–2020 Chicago Fire
2020–2021 SC Wave
2021– New England Revolution
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– New England Revolution II 31 (6)
2022– New England Revolution 16 (0)
International career‡
2022 United States U19 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of September 27, 2022

Professional career

Bajraktarević moved from Wisconsin to Foxborough, Massachusetts to join the Revolution Academy in August 2021. He signed a professional contract with New England Revolution II on Nov. 18, 2021. He signed a homegrown contract with the first team on May 23, 2022.[7] In doing so he became the 9th homegrown player to sign for the Revolution first team, and the first from the club's residency program.[8]

Esmir made his MLS debut on August 17, 2022, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC.[9] He'd make his first start three days later on August 20, 2022 in the Revolution's 4-0 loss to CF Montréal.[10]

Esmir spent the 2022 MLS offseason training with AZ Alkmaar.[11] He scored his first professional goal, a 78th minute equalizer against Querétaro F.C. in the Leagues Cup, on August 8, 2023.[12]

International career

At 17 years old, Bajraktarević received a call-up to the United States under-19 national team ahead of the Slovenia Nation's Cup.[13]

He has additionally earned two call-ups to the United States under-20 national team, the first coming as an invitation to the team's January Camp, where, at 16 years old, he was the youngest member of the team's roster.[14] In April, he rejoined the team for training camp in April 2022 ahead of the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[15]

On October 8, 2023, Bajraktarevic was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan.[16]

Personal life

Born in the United States, Bajraktarević is of Bosnian descent.[17] His family is from Srebrenica.[18]

References
  1. Esmir Bajraktarevic at Soccerway. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  2. 1 on 1 with Esmir Bajraktarević - Signing a First Team Contract, retrieved September 26, 2022
  3. "Esmir Bajraktarevic Stats, News, Bio". ESPN. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  4. "New England Revolution sign midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević as Homegrown Player | New England Revolution".
  5. Hetu, Tyler (August 8, 2023). "Young 'Milwaukee Messi' Bajraktarevic makes his mark with Revs". www.thesunchronicle.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. Oatway, Caroline (August 8, 2023). ""I would have loved to get a win on my first goal" A bittersweet night for 'Milwaukee Messi' Bajraktarević". revolutionsoccer.net. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  7. Nye, Josh (March 23, 2022). "Revolution sign Esmir Bajraktarević to Homegrown contract". www.thebentmusket.com. Vox Media. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  8. "ESMIR BAJRAKTAREVIĆ AT A GLANCE:". revolutionsoccer.net. May 17, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  9. Dell'Apa, Frank (August 17, 2022). "A formation switch and younger lineup leads to a Revolution tie with Toronto FC". Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  10. "Kei Kamara makes history, CF Montreal blow out Revolution". August 20, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  11. Macomber, Seth (December 12, 2022). "Revolution Homegrown Esmir Bajraktarević is training with AZ Alkmaar". www.thebentmusket.com. Vox Media. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  12. Gregoire, Kayla (August 8, 2023). "Esmir Bajraktarevic nets first goal, but Revolution fall in PKs during Leagues Cup". masslive.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  13. "Revolution Homegrown Midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic and Academy Graduate Jack Panayotou Called in to U.S. Under-19 Men's Youth National Team". September 20, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  14. Nye, Josh (January 24, 2022). "Esmir Bajraktarevic called into US U-20 January camp". Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  15. Langone, Matt (April 21, 2022). "Two players with New England ties called up to the U.S. U-20 Men's YNT". www.nesoccerjournal.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  16. "Twenty-three Players Called to U.s. Olympic Men's Soccer Team Training Camp as Preparations for Paris 2024 Kick Off in Phoenix". ussoccer.com. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  17. "Esmir Bajraktarevic | MLSsoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  18. https://reprezentacija.ba/390162-bosansko-cudo-iz-sad-a-moji-su-iz-srebrenice-u-meni-je-bih-a-dzeku-gledam-od-pete-godine
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