Arber Zenelli: From Sweden to Kosovo

It's November 20th, 2018. On this memorable evening for Arben Zenel, Zeke Zenel, his grandfather [from his father's side], changes his life. Aware of the special relationship that brought them together, Zenel's parents decided to keep this news secret, writes France Football.

The reason? Kosovo's historic match with Azerbaijan, just hours later. Kosovo in that match would play for the group's first place in the League of Nations, and with a positive result, it would have the opportunity to play at Final Four for a ticket to Euro 2020. Two points was the difference between the two nationals, so Kosovo needed the result.

Zenel was the undisputed hero in this match, where Kosovo won 4:0. His het-trick, who was first in career, made Kosovo win the match and end unbeatable in the group, with the best attack on the League of Nations (15 goals).

Arber Zenelli celebrating after het-trick to Azerbaijan

It was Zenel's opportunity to strengthen his status as a new icon in Kosovo. This new country of less than two million people, once Serbia's province, declared independence in 2008, broadcasts the Insport. Politically not stable and preventing continued conflicts, Kosovo Football Federation was admitted to U FIFA EFA in May 2016.

By then, Kosovo had only held friendly matches, until after recognition it could enter into qualifications for different races. So players had to obey to join the representative's team. By then, Kosovo footballers had chosen teams such as Albania, Switzerland and even Belgium [as is the case of Adnan Januzaj]. And Sweden. It is the exact location of Zlatan Ibrahimovic where we must return to begin the journey of Arber Zenel.

War makes Zenel's family move

It's February 1995. Arber Zenel is born in Säter (4,600), 200 kilometers from Stockholm. Family's first child. And this, four days after his father from Mitrovica and his mother from Prizren, arrived in Sweden after living in Selac, northern Kosovo.

My parents emigrated in 1991 during the wars in Yugoslavia”, Zenel says about France Football.

“Today, my mother is employed in a supermarket network, until her father works for an energy company, he reads the electricity costs and gets the” data, he adds.

Arber says football has been introduced to him from an early age. It was early. I've always loved football, and soon I had a ball in my leg”

His first club was Halsingarden, near Norsleund, where the family lives. At the age of 11, he moved to Elfsborg, a club in the vicinity of Gotthenburg, south of Sweden. This is where his story started with professional football. By the time his first idol was Kaka, the Brazilian star.

I was a Milan fan and his game was nice to see”, Zenel says. He arrived on the radar of the new teams of Sweden and made his first appearance with Elfsborg's U17 team.

The first professional contract, signed in December 2013. The adventure can begin. “Even though he was young when he arrived at the first team [Zenel played his first championship match on March 31, 2014, as 19-year-old], he soon adopted and soon succeeded, reminded Sebastian Holmen, his associate of Elfsborg, today at Dynam Moscow. In the early days, everyone knew that he would become a very good player. What made me react most, was his speed with the ball, his speed. As a protector, I always hoped I wouldn't play against him in training”

“You could see its quality, its speed, but even its ability to monitor, it kept running”, continues Adam Lundqvist, former Zenel's associate in Elfsborg. “He was strong one against one. One of the best I've faced”, recalls the defender who now plays at Houston Danamo in the MLS. I never wanted to let him get through me, even if I had to. If he went by, I hit him”.

About two months later, Zenel won his first trophy, the Swedish Cup [winner 1:0 to Helsinkibgorg]. In the following season, he managed to make 27 presentations and eight goals at the first Swedish Division.

I remember a goal of Norrking, he ran alone and crossed all opponents one by one. Everyone was shocked, I think he was also”

His appearances did not go unnoticed. In the passing winter term, in 2016, Zenel passed to Heerenven for 2m euros.

As 21-year-old Zeneli achieved a super goal with the Dutch club in the second match. Dressing the fan with the number 13, Zenel took a ball on the right in the match against Cambour and infiltrated his way before sending the ball to the corner of the net.

I had a very good year with it”, recall Stefano Marzo, the protector of Lockeren in Belgium, who played behind Zenel at Herenveen. It was a pleasure playing with Arber. I gave him the ball and I couldn't see him anymore. I had no problem. It was easy. He was always going ahead of”.

“

In 2016 the career of Arben Zenel will have a new turn. In August, he indicated he would leave Sweden's national to join Kosovo. It was a blow to the head for the Scandinavians. Zenelli is even considered a traitor. On social networks, the player defended himself about this decision.

Kosovo is my blood, my origin”, continues Zenel for France Football. “Today, I am very proud to wear the Kosovo team's top fan”.

“I appreciate this kind of player, because he really chose Kosovo at a time when the state and national were in big question”, says Bernard Challandes, the Kosovo representative's selector.

“He chose Kosovo, and you can say he is a real Kosovar”.

Adam Lundqvist, Zenel's associate of Sweden's new age group, I know he was sure of the choice. I thought we had just lost a great player. At first, I was upset. But I know him and his family and I realized that it is a great honor for him to be able to play for his parents' state. He must have received a lot of criticism, but also a lot of love”.

Arber Zeneli, with number 10, in his first appearance with Kosovo

Already in Kosovo history

After making its debut with Kosovo towards Croatia in May 2018 in Zurich, Zeneli scored two goals in Kosovo's 3:0 victory in friendly with Albania. Last September, Kosovo played an official game for the first time at the éFadil Vokrı, named after legend and football icon in Kosovo.

In the match against the Faroe Islands, which was first in the stadium, Zenel scored Kosovo's first goal. His goal led to 13 thousand spectators. They soon came to love their Jjevahir.

“He plays for the team, people love him very much and he's proud of this”, says Bernard Challandes.

“He was seen as a hero in Pristina against Azerbaijan. There is so much enthusiasm in Kosovo for the players. He's one of these talented football players, but he's also able to run and work hard. Looking at statistics from across Europe on the basis of speed and other criteria, he was not as fast as Kyylan Mbappe, but there were extraordinary numbers, at the highest level of”, Chalandes adds.

“Porsa touched the ball, immediately realized he was a special player”

As he approached the 2019 winter deadline, the recruiting branch at the Stade de Reims, which had identified Zenel as a target for several weeks, introduced a video to coach David Guion. The effect was immediate. The coach also watched the matches against Ajax and the SPV Eindhoven. Green light was given by all the components of the club.

Reims soon went into action, for the player who would have expired contracts in 18 months. The French team won a race with other large teams, who had observed Zenel [like Ajax, Chelsea and Naples].

The 24-year-old footballer, who in Kosovo was elected the best player of the year, was transferred to Reims for 4m euros. One move that surprised them greatly after they had waited for a transition to a larger team.

On February 24th against Montpellier, Zenel made the first appearance as a title and scored a goal by the penalty. Once he touched the ball, it was clear that he was a special footballer, what would bring us, and that he would become important”, his associate, Tristan Dingome, discovers.

Zenel in Reims' debut

If the talent and promising marks are there, coach David Guion is already clear on what the Kosovo star should work on.

He must understand all tactical aspects. There's still a lot of tactical work to do”, he points.

His associate in Kosovo, Exile Vojvoda, reveals some interesting things about Zenel.

He loves French. I tried to teach him a few words, but they're not always the best. He loves French music”

He has an incredible finish, he doesn't need three attempts to score”, Vojvoda adds, talking about Zenel's qualities.

According to Adam Lundqvis, Zenel can quickly reach the tops of Europe.

I'm sure it can reach one of Europe's biggest clubs. I don't think this is going to be his last stop-up”, says Lundqvist, his former associate.

If you continue with this progress, it will reach very high. He's really a very strong and professional guy, he's got everything in front of him and he'll never stop. He will not be pleased with what he has. He'll always love a lot more”