The end of a football career, for many athletes in Kosovo, doesn’t just mean stopping competitive play on the field, but often marks the beginning of an uncertain and difficult phase in their professional and personal lives.
Former footballers who ended their careers in recent years tell KosovaPress that the lack of institutional support, low wages during their playing years, and a lack of academic preparation are among the main challenges players face after retirement.
Former Liria of Prizren player, Robert Gjeraj, says that athletes face a completely uncertain future.
“Firstly, the end of the career itself is problematic. When you reach the end, it’s stressful because you have to think about the future and what you will do—especially our generation that has retired. We had a lot of problems because we were not paid the way players are paid today. They can build a foundation for life after football, while we had serious problems with wages in the past and couldn’t establish any base to start a business or do something else. On top of that, we are not very fit for physical work, and we couldn’t finish school or university because football took up all our time. So, apart from working as a coach or club official, it is very difficult to find any other job,” said Gjeraj.
Meanwhile, former footballer Samir Sahiti points out that every footballer in Kosovo starts thinking about a second job outside football in the final years of their career.
“To be honest, it’s a bit difficult—especially the end of your career—because in the last two or three years, you have to start thinking about what you will do afterward. But I believe there is room for every footballer, especially those who have played at slightly higher levels and have had success in their careers. There is both space and need in Kosovo football for these players to take up coaching. However, this also largely depends on club management, who I believe should provide more opportunities for young coaches and be more patient with them… Of course, after our playing careers, we must orient ourselves toward having a second job outside of football, not only because the salaries are insufficient to support a family, but also because club leaders tend to be very impatient—especially with former local players or new coaches who have just started their coaching careers,” Sahiti stated.
Former Vëllaznimi player, Yll Myrta, says that every footballer’s wish is to continue working in sports after retirement, but adds that he knows many who aren’t that fortunate and end up doing ordinary jobs.
“Being a footballer is a challenge in itself, especially in Kosovo, when you end your career. Honestly, it mostly affects those whose careers lasted longer. At some point, whether by choice or not, they decide to leave football, and that’s a big challenge. I believe most of them don’t find new engagement or struggle with the transition. A long football career demands great focus, as you’re fully dedicated to football… Many of them have not continued doing what they truly desire; I am convinced that each of them, despite having had a long career, still wishes to keep working in the sports field, in various positions within sports. However, most of them are not fortunate enough to have that opportunity. The majority end up doing ordinary jobs, which I cannot even specify, but I believe this is a major challenge in Kosovo – that this happens to footballers,” said Myrta.
To ease this situation, Gjeraj calls on the state and the Football Federation to offer a salary for former players.
“I believe both the players from the generation of sacrifice and those coming up now should be supported by the state and the federation. We’ve sacrificed—not just us, but every generation since the war and even before it—to bring football to the level it is today, where we can play in Europe and play freely. So I think they should be protected and have a foundation, a benefit, because maybe 90 percent of footballers aren’t physically able to work due to injuries… I’ve said this before: like the veterans of the KLA who are paid, football veterans should also receive a pension, so they can continue to have motivation and help guide new generations toward success,” Gjeraj emphasized. Former footballers believe this topic highlights the need for well-designed policies that seriously address the transition of footballers into life after sport./A. Bytyçi/
