Bajraktarević to FIFA: I always knew I would play for Bosnia

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has released an emotional video feature about young Bosnia and Herzegovina national team player Esmir Bajraktarević, titled "Milwaukee Messi." In the official report, the 21-year-old footballer spoke openly about his origins, his family's painful history in Srebrenica, and the pivotal moment when he decided to swap the jersey of the United States for that of his parents' homeland.

Bajraktarević's story transcends purely sporting boundaries, revealing the deep motives that guided his choice of national team. The young footballer, dubbed the local Messi in America due to his exceptional talent, emphasized a strong connection to his parents' homeland despite being born far from it.

"I was born in America, but I always saw myself as a Bosnian. I think even the people around me in America also perceived me as a Bosnian," Bajraktarević states at the very beginning of the interview.

His motivation is rooted in the most difficult period for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the fate of his family.

"My family is from Srebrenica in Bosnia. They were directly in the war. They were there when it all happened and, yes, my parents lost family members. That is something that is very, very personal to me, very touching, but also something that gives me even greater pride to fight for my country," the young footballer is candid.

After the war, his parents fled to Switzerland in search of a better life, and then went to America, where he was born. Bajraktarević describes growing up in two different worlds, stating that at home everything was Bosnian, while outside the home everything was somehow American.

After playing for the youth selections of the USA, Bajraktarević found himself at a crossroads transitioning to senior football, where the rules no longer allow a subsequent change of sporting nationality.

"I started playing for America, but I think the time was coming when I needed to make the step from youth to senior level. I knew that once I did that, there was no going back and I had to be sure. And yes, I always knew it would be Bosnia," explains the footballer, adding that America was a great place to grow up, but deep down he always felt Bosnian.

A special part of his football fairy tale relates to his relationship with captain Edin Džeko, who was his idol growing up as a boy following and cheering for the national team from America. Joining the national team brought him the fulfillment of dreams and playing with his role model.

"In my first match, I assisted him and that was, obviously, a very special moment for me. It just seemed like everything was meant to be," Bajraktarević describes.

The young footballer concluded that the team does not want to be just a silent observer at a major tournament, but emphasized the high ambitions of the entire team.

"We are not here just to enjoy the fact that we managed to reach this point. I think we actually have a really good opportunity and a lot of quality in our team to make a big breakthrough at the tournament. That is something that makes me even prouder to be from Bosnia," Bajraktarević said at the end of FIFA's report.