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Ernest Muçi

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Ernest Muçi
Muçi with Beşiktaş in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth Tirana, Albania[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Beşiktaş
Number 23
Youth career
2011–2015 Tulipanët
2015–2017 Dinamo Tirana
2017–2019 Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Tirana 59 (16)
2021–2024 Legia Warsaw 81 (13)
2024– Beşiktaş 22 (6)
International career‡
2018–2019 Albania U19 17 (7)
2020–2022 Albania U21 11 (4)
2021– Albania 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Ernest Muçi (born 19 March 2001) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş and the Albania national team.[1][2]

Muçi began his professional career with KF Tirana in 2018, helping the club win promotion to the Kategoria Superiore. He played a key role in Tirana's 25th league title in 2019-20, scoring 7 goals. In February 2021, Muçi joined Legia Warsaw for €500,000, where he won the Ekstraklasa and the Polish Cup, scoring 21 goals in 3 seasons. In 2024, he joined Beşiktaş for €10 million, becoming the club's most expensive player and winning the Turkish Cup and Super Cup in his first months.

Making his senior debut for Albania at the age of 20 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Andorra, Muçi scored his first international goal in June 2023 during a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against the Faroe Islands. Muçi was selected in the Albania squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.

Club career

[edit]

Tirana

[edit]

Born in Albania's capital Tirana, Muçi began his football career at the age of 10 with local clubs Tulipanët and Dinamo Tirana, before moving in 2017 to the team he supported growing up, KF Tirana.[2] He initially joined the club's under-17 team. In January 2018, he would be called up to the senior squad for the first time for a mid-season preparation in Turkey.[3]

Muçi made his professional debut for Tirana as a 16-year-old on 28 January 2018 in a 3–0 win in the Kategoria e Parë against Shkumbini, coming on as a 56th-minute substitute for Bedri Greca.[4] He scored his first senior goal on 3 March 2018 in a 4–1 win over Shënkolli, coming on as a 62nd minute substitute for Alked Çelhaka and scoring in the 78th minute to make it 4–0 for Tirana.[5] He scored again later that month, shortly after his 17th birthday, against Apolonia, scoring twice in a 5–1 home win.[6] He made 11 appearances, including 6 from the start, and scored 3 goals as Tirana won the 2017–18 Kategoria e Parë and secured promotion back to the Kategoria Superiore.

Muçi made his top-flight debut on 2 September 2018 in a 3–1 away defeat to Kukësi, where he also scored in the 61st minute after coming on as a half-time substitute for Yunus Sentamu.[7] He struggled for game time in the first-team, making just 8 league appearances and scoring once in the season as Tirana avoided relegation by 5 points. While struggling for first-team minutes, he was a regular in the U19 side, where he scored 4 goals in 11 games to help Tirana finish 3rd in Group A of the U19 league.

Muçi was one of the most important players in the 2019–20 season, in which Tirana won their 25th league title. Although he was mostly a substitute, he scored some important goals off the bench.[8] On 22 December 2019, Muçi scored a brace in an away win over Laçi.[9] Later on throughout the season, he scored another brace in the historic 5–1 win over cross-town rivals Partizani.[10] He ended the season with 12 goals between league and cup, setting a personal best.

At the start of the 2020-21 season, Muçi signed a new one-year contract with Tirana.[11] With the departure of main striker Michael Ngoo, he became the club's undisputed starter, making 20 league appearances in the first half of the season.[12] Muçi scored his first goal of the season in a 4–1 cup win over Shkumbini.[13] His first league goal of the season came in a 3–2 defeat at Vllaznia on the third matchday.[14] In February 2021, Tirana announced that Muçi would be leaving the club after more than three years in which he scored 23 goals and won two trophies.[15]

Legia Warsaw

[edit]

On 23 February 2021, Muçi signed with Polish club Legia Warsaw.[16] The club reportedly paid €500,000, with Tirana entitled to ten percent of the amount from the player's next transfer.[17] Muçi made his debut with Legia four days later in a 2–1 away win over Górnik Zabrze, coming off the bench in the second half.[18] He finished the season scoreless in 7 appearances, starting only two matches, as Legia won their 15th Ekstraklasa title.

His first goal for the club came on 24 July, a winner against Wisła Płock on the opening day of the 2021–22 season.[19] Muçi scored his first ever UEFA Champions League goal in the third qualifying round away to Dinamo Zagreb to level the score at 1–1 in the 82nd minute.[20] Legia lost the return leg, but managed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.[21] Muçi made his first appearance of the group stage in a match away to Spartak Moscow on 15 September, where he provided the assist for the winning goal.[22] Muçi finished the season with 6 goals in 36 appearances as Legia went trophyless and finished 10th in the league.

In the 2022–23 season, Muçi made his first appearance on 16 July against Korona Kielce. Starting the game from the first minute, he managed to score a goal, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw.[23] He finished the season with 6 goals in 37 appearances and slowly became a regular starter, starting 29 games as Legia managed to win the Polish Cup and finish third in the league.

Muçi started the 2023–24 season in a 3–0 win over ŁKS Łódź on 21 July. He scored his first goal of the season on 10 August in a UECL third qualifying round home match against Austria Vienna, which ended in a 2–1 defeat for Legia.[24] Legia won the return leg 5–3, with Muçi scoring the last goal, to book their place in the play-off round and eventually qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.[25][26] On 21 September, Muçi scored a brace in the match against Aston Villa in the group stage, which Legia eventually won 3–2.[27] Muçi finished his final season at Legia with 9 goals in 34 appearances, scoring 21 goals in total with the club and winning three trophies.

Beşiktaş

[edit]

On 9 February 2024, Süper Lig club Beşiktaş announced the signing of Muçi on a three-and-a-half-year contract, for a fee of €10 million, with Legia keeping a 10% sell-on clause.[28] The club's president Hasan Arat picked him up personally on a jet from Warsaw to Istanbul.[29] He became the club's most expensive player ever.[30] Muçi made his debut on 12 February in a 0–0 draw against Kayserispor.[31] He scored his first goal on 25 February in a 2–0 win over İstanbulspor.[32] Muçi finished his first season with Besiktas with 4 goals in 17 appearances and won the Turkish Cup with the club.

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Muçi began his international career in May 2018, when Albania under-19 manager Erjon Bogdani called him up for the friendlies against Kosovo, in which he also earned his first cap.[33] He scored his first goal for the team in a friendly against Iceland on 8 September, which proved to be the only goal of the match in a 1–0 win at the Roza Haxhiu Stadium.[34]

In September 2020, Muçi was called up by manager Alban Bushi for the Albania under-21 team for the first time. He scored a brace in a 5–1 win over Austria in a match for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification on 4 September.[35] On 7 October 2021, he scored another brace in a 2–0 win over Andorra.[36]

Senior

[edit]

Muçi was called up by Edoardo Reja for the first time in the senior squad on 28 August 2021 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Poland, but failed to make his debut.[37] He would make his debut in his next call-up on 15 November 2021 in another qualifier against Andorra.[38]

On 20 June 2023, he scored his first goal for the national team in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against the Faroe Islands.[39] His second and third goal would come in two friendlies against Bulgaria on 17 October and Liechtenstein on 3 June 2024.[40][41]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 10 November 2024[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tirana 2017–18 Kategoria e Parë 11 3 0 0 — — 11 3
2018–19 Kategoria Superiore 8 1 3 0 — — 11 1
2019–20 Kategoria Superiore 20 7 7 5 — — 27 12
2020–21 Kategoria Superiore 20 5 1 2 3[a] 0 1[b] 0 25 7
Total 59 16 11 7 3 0 1 0 74 23
Legia Warsaw 2020–21 Ekstraklasa 6 0 1 0 — — 7 0
2021–22 Ekstraklasa 24 4 3 1 8[c] 1 1[d] 0 36 6
2022–23 Ekstraklasa 32 5 5 1 — — 37 6
2023–24 Ekstraklasa 19 4 2 0 12[e] 5 1[d] 0 34 9
Total 81 13 11 2 20 6 2 0 114 21
Beşiktaş 2023–24 Süper Lig 13 3 4 1 — — 17 4
2024–25 Süper Lig 9 3 0 0 5[f] 1 0 0 14 4
Total 22 6 4 1 5 1 0 0 31 8
Career total 162 35 26 10 28 7 3 0 219 52
  1. ^ Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League, one appearance in the UEFA Europa League.
  2. ^ Appearance in the Albanian Supercup.
  3. ^ Five appearances in the UEFA Europa League, three appearances and one goal in the UEFA Champions League.
  4. ^ a b Appearance in the Polish Super Cup.
  5. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
  6. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa League.

International

[edit]
As of match played 19 November 2024[42]
Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Team Year Competitive Friendly Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Albania U19 2018 2[a] 0 6 1 8 1
2019 1[b] 0 8 6 9 6
Total 3 0 14 7 17 7
Albania U21 2020 4[c] 2 — 4 2
2021 4[d] 2 — 4 2
2022 3[d] 0 — 3 0
Total 11 4 — 11 4
Albania 2021 1[e] 0 — 1 0
2022 — 1 0 1 0
2023 4[f] 1 1 1 5 2
2024 5[g] 0 3 1 8 1
Total 10 1 5 2 15 3
Career total 24 5 19 9 43 14
  1. ^ Appearances in the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification.
  2. ^ Appearance in the 2020 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification.
  3. ^ Appearances in the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.
  4. ^ a b Appearances in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.
  5. ^ Appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.
  6. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.
  7. ^ Two appearances in the UEFA Euro 2024, three appearances in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League.

International goals

[edit]
Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first.
Table key
Indicates Albania won the match
Indicates the match ended in a draw (a penalty shootout is statistically a draw regardless of shootout results)
Indicates Albania lost the match
No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 4 20 June 2023 Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 3–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying [43]
2 6 17 October 2023 Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania  Bulgaria 2–0 2–0 Friendly [44]
3 10 3 June 2024 Haladás Sportkomplexum, Szombathely, Hungary  Liechtenstein 3–0 3–0 Friendly [45]

Honours

[edit]

Tirana

Legia Warsaw

Beşiktaş

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Ernest Muçi". Beşiktaş J.K. Official Web Site. Beşiktaş J.K. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Ernest Muçi". FSHF (in Albanian). Albanian Football Federation. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Tirana drejt Turqisë, largohen shtatë lojtarë" [Tirana head to Turkey, seven players leave] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Tirana vs. Shkumbini Peqin". Soccerway. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Tirana zbavitet, Bylisi e katranos në derbi" [Tirana have fun, Bylisi make a mess of the derby] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Tirana shpartallon Apoloninë dhe shkon +7 nga Bylisi" [Tirana defeats Apolonia and gets +7 from Bylis] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Rexhinaldo i pamëshirshëm, zhyt Tiranën në krizë" [The ruthless Reginaldo plunges Tirana into crisis] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Nga Egbo te Ngo, ja notat e sezonit te kampionët e Tiranës" [From Egbo to Ngoo, here are the marks of the season for the champions of Tirana] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  9. ^ "VIDEO/ Dopieta e talentit Muçi, Tirana mposht me përmbysje Laçin dhe ngjitet në vendin e tretë" [VIDEO/ The brace of talent Muçi, Tirana defeats Laçi with a comeback and climbs to third place] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Kryeqyteti vishet bardheblu, Tirana shpartallon 5-1 Partizanin në "Air Albania Stadium"" [The capital wears blue and white, Tirana destroys Partizani 5-1 at "Air Albania Stadium"] (in Albanian). News 24. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  11. ^ "ZYRTARE/ Merr fund telenovela e Ernest Muçit, Tirana jep përgjigjen përfundimtare" [OFFICIAL/ Ernest Muçi's telenovela ends, Tirana gives the final answer] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Besim i plotë te Ernest Muçi, Egbo zgjedh formacionin titullar ndaj Tbilis" [Full confidence in Ernest Muçi, Egbo chooses the starting line-up against Tbilisi] (in Albanian). ABC News. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Tirana vs. Shkumbini Peqin". Soccerway. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  14. ^ "VIDEO/ Klasike për "infarkt", Vllaznia mposht Tiranën me gol në frymën e fundit" [VIDEO/ Classic for "heart attack", Vllaznia beat Tirana with a last-gasp goal] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Muçi largohet nga Tirana, transferohet në Poloni" [Muçi leaves Tirana, moves to Poland] (in Albanian). Gazeta Si. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Ernest Muci - witamy w Legii" [Ernest Muci - welcome to Legia] (in Polish). Legia Warsaw. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  17. ^ Byczkowski, Mateusz (21 February 2021). "PKO Ekstraklasa. Transfer młodego Albańczyka do Legii Warszawa. Wiemy, ile zapłacą mistrzowie Polski" [PKO Ekstraklasa. Transfer of a young Albanian to Legia Warsaw. We know how much the Polish champions will pay] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  18. ^ "VIDEO/ Ernest Muçi debuton me Legian në Poloni, fitojnë në transfertën e vështirë" [VIDEO/ Ernest Muçi debuts with Legia in Poland as they win in the difficult away match] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  19. ^ Szymański, Rafał (24 July 2021). "Rewelacyjne trafienie Ernesta Muciego. Zdjął pajęczynę z siatki [WIDEO]" [Ernest Muci's sensational hit. He took the cobwebs off the net [VIDEO]] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  20. ^ Szymański, Rafał (4 August 2021). "Strzał Ernesta Muciego uratował Legię Warszawa. "To było jak sen"" [Ernest Muci's shot saved Legia Warsaw. "It was like a dream"] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  21. ^ Szczepanik, Artur (26 August 2022). "Legia wraca na należne jej miejsce. Wyeliminowała Slavię i zagra w Lidze Europy" [Legia is back in its rightful place. It eliminated Slavia and will play in the Europa League] (in Polish). Interia.pl. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  22. ^ Wawrzynowski, Marek (15 September 2021). "Liga Europy. Wielka sensacja. Co za dramaturgia w końcówce w Moskwie!" [Europa League. A great sensation. What drama at the end in Moscow!] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  23. ^ Matys, Paweł (16 July 2022). "W Kielcach najpierw dymy, potem święto. Legia zatrzymana przez Koronę" [In Kielce, first smoke, then celebration. Legia stopped by Korona] (in Polish). Gazeta.pl. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  24. ^ Kaczmarczyk, Krzysztof (10 August 2023). "Zagrał mu "na nos". Tak zmiennicy dali nadzieję Legii [WIDEO]" [He played it "on the nose". This is how the substitutes gave Legia hope [VIDEO]] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Najpierw gol a potem?! Zobacz szaloną końcówkę meczu Legii" [First a goal and then? See the crazy end of the Legia match] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  26. ^ Galiński, Tomasz (1 September 2023). "Paweł Wszołek nie miał wątpliwości. "Zasłużyliśmy na ten awans"" [Paweł Wszołek had no doubts. "We deserved this promotion"] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  27. ^ Duda, Kuba (21 September 2023). "Ernest Muci bohaterem Legii. "Cieszę się, że mogłem pomóc drużynie"" [Ernest Muci a hero for Legia. "I'm happy to have been able to help the team"] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Ernest Muçi'nin Transfer Süreci Tamamlandı" [Ernest Muchi's Transfer Process Completed] (in Turkish). Beşiktaş J.K. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Yeni Transferimiz Ernest Muçi İstanbul'da" [Our New Transfer Ernest Muçi in Istanbul] (in Turkish). Beşiktaş J.K. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  30. ^ Yener, Sinan (9 February 2024). "Beşiktaş'tan rekor transfer - Ernest Muci nasıl bir futbolcu? Polonya uzmanı açıklamalarda bulundu" [Record transfer from Besiktas - What kind of footballer is Ernest Muci? Poland expert makes statements] (in Turkish). Transfermarkt. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Beşiktaş'ın yeni transferleri sahne aldı: İşte ilk maç performansları" [Beşiktaş's new transfers took the stage: Here are their first match performances] (in Turkish). NTV Spor. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  32. ^ "GENİŞ ÖZET | İstanbulspor 0-2 Beşiktaş" [FULL SUMMARY | Istanbulspor 0-2 Beşiktaş] (in Turkish). beIN Sports. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  33. ^ Ilnica, Eduard (21 May 2018). "Kombëtarja U-19, dy ndeshje miqësore me Kosovën U-19" [U-19 national team, two friendly matches against Kosovo U-19] (in Albanian). Shqiptarja.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Kombëtarja e Bogdanit triumfon në miqësore, vendos goli i talentit të Tiranës" [Bogdani's national team triumphs in friendly, Tirana talent's goal decides] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  35. ^ "VIDEO/ Krenari! Shqipëria U-21 gjunjëzon Austrinë, çfarë prodhimesh nga Superioria" [VIDEO/ Pride! Albania U-21 bring Austria to their knees, what a production by the Superliga] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  36. ^ "VIDEO/ Mos i lini goditje nga afër! Harkëtari Muçi vjen me dy super gola nga goditja e dënimit te Shpresat" [VIDEO/ Don't let him shoot from close range! Archer Muçi scores two super free-kick goals at U-21] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Mungon emri i tij në listë, mësohen shpresat e debutimit të Nedim Bajramit në shtator te Shqipëria" [His name is missing from the list, we learn the hopes of Nedim Bajram's debut in September for Albania] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  38. ^ "VIDEO/ Shqipëria ia del mes vuajtjesh ndaj Andorrës, kuqezinjtë mbërrijnë objektivin dhe e mbyllin në vendin e tretë" [VIDEO/ Albania succeeds amid suffering against Andorra, the Red and Blacks reach the target and finish in third place] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  39. ^ "VIDEO/ Asllani realizon një kryevepër dhe Shqipëria bën detyrën me Ishujt Faroe, kuqezinjtë marrin vendin e dytë në grup" [VIDEO/ Asllani pulls off a masterpiece and Albania do their duty against the Faroe Islands as the Red and Blacks take second place in the group] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  40. ^ "VIDEO/ Shqipëria nuk ndalet as në miqësore, Laçi dhe një gol si ilaç për sytë nga Muçi mposhtin Bullgarinë" [VIDEO/ Albania do not stop even in friendly matches, Laçi and a goal as medicine for the eyes by Muçi defeat Bulgaria] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  41. ^ "VIDEO/ Shqipëria bën detyrën ndaj Lihtenshtajnit, tre gola për kuqezinjtë e Silvinjos" [VIDEO/ Albania do their duty against Liechtenstein, three goals for Silvinho's Red and Blacks] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Ernest Muçi". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  43. ^ "Faroe Islands-Albania". UEFA.com. UEFA. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  44. ^ "Albania-Bulgaria". UEFA.com. UEFA. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Albania-Liechtenstein". UEFA.com. UEFA. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
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