Arbër Zeneli

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Arbër Zeneli

|image = Arber Zeneli (Reims; 2019).jpg

|caption = Zeneli with Reims in 2019

|fullname = Arbër Avni Zeneli

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|2|25|df=y}}

|birth_place = Säter, Sweden

|height = 1.76 m

|position = Left winger

|currentclub = IF Elfsborg

|clubnumber = 9

|youthyears1 = 2000–2007

|youthclubs1 = Hälsinggårdens AIK

|youthyears2 = 2007–2013

|youthclubs2 = IF Elfsborg

|years1 = 2014–2015

|clubs1 = IF Elfsborg

|caps1 = 46

|goals1 = 11

|years2 = 2016–2019

|clubs2 = Heerenveen

|caps2 = 88

|goals2 = 17

|years3 = 2019–2023

|clubs3 = Reims

|caps3 = 76

|goals3 = 8

|years4 = 2023–2024

|clubs4 = Adana Demirspor

|caps4 = 12

|goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2024–

|clubs5 = IF Elfsborg

|caps5 = 27

|goals5 = 5

|nationalyears1 = 2010–2012

|nationalteam1 = Sweden U17

|nationalcaps1 = 7

|nationalgoals1 = 1

|nationalyears2 = 2012–2014

|nationalteam2 = Sweden U19

|nationalcaps2 = 17

|nationalgoals2 = 5

|nationalyears3 = 2014–2016

|nationalteam3 = Sweden U21

|nationalcaps3 = 11

|nationalgoals3 = 1

|nationalyears4 = 2016–

|nationalteam4 = Kosovo

|nationalcaps4 = 33

|nationalgoals4 = 9

|medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|SWE}}}}

|club-update = 13 November 2024

|nationalteam-update = 28 March 2023

}}

Arbër Avni Zeneli (born 25 February 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Allsvenskan club IF Elfsborg and the Kosovo national team. Born in Sweden, he previously represented the country at the international youth level and was part of the Sweden U21 team that won the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Club career

=IF Elfsborg=

File:Arber Zeneli.jpg in 2015]]

==Youth teams==

Zeneli started playing football for Hälsinggården, but left as a 12-year old for IF Elfsborg's youth academy. On 29 October 2011, he scored a late winning goal in the final of Swedish Under-17 Championships against Brommapojkarna.{{cite news|url=https://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/u17-serierna/resultat-tidigare-ar/2011/|title=Elfsborg mästare i pojk-SM|trans-title=Elfsborg, champions in boys-SM|quote=Målen: 1-0 (5) Viktor Nilsson, 1-1 (8) Isak Nyhlén, 2-1 (85) Arber Zeneli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142727/https://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/u17-serierna/resultat-tidigare-ar/2011/|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=Swedish|date=29 October 2011|archive-date=4 March 2016}} The following year he helped his team reach the final in the same competition and he scored another goal, although this time IF Elfsborg lost to Malmö.{{cite news|url=http://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/u17-serierna/resultat-tidigare-ar/2012/|title=Malmö FF Svenska Mästare 2012|trans-title=Malmö FF, Swedish Master 2012|quote=Målen: 0-1 (27) Petar Petrovic, 0-2 (45) Petar Petrovic, 1-2 (48) Philip Olofsson, 2-2 (51) Arber Zeneli, 2-3 (59) Jesper Rindemo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112039/http://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/u17-serierna/resultat-tidigare-ar/2012/|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=Swedish|date=28 October 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016}} On 5 November 2013, he won the Allsvenskan U21 with IF Elfsborg against Häcken after coming on as a substitute at 63rd minute in place of Arjan Mostafa.{{cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=95&artikel=5694742|title=Elfsborgs U21-lag vann SM|trans-title=Elfsborg's U21 team won the SM|language=Swedish|publisher=Sveriges Radio|date=5 November 2013}}

==First team==

{{quote box|width=25%|quote="Zeneli is one of the greatest talents I have ever seen."|source=—Former Premier League player and teammate Anders Svensson shares his impression of Zeneli in May 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.fotbolldirekt.se/2014/05/20/anders-svensson-tokhyllar-en-av-de-storsta-talangerna-jag-sett/|title=Anders Svensson tokhyllar: "En av de största talangerna jag sett"|trans-title=Anders Svensson says: "One of the greatest talents I have seen"|language=Swedish|website=FotbollDirekt|date=20 May 2014}}}}

Having been promoted to the senior team in December 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.svenskelitfotboll.se/elfsborg-slar-rekord-i-u-uppflyttning/|title=Elfsborg slår rekord i "U-uppflyttning"|trans-title=Elfsborg beats the record in "U-move"|language=Swedish|publisher=Swedish Elite Football|date=18 December 2013}} On 1 March 2014, he made his debut with IF Elfsborg in the group stage of 2013–14 Svenska Cupen against Östersund after being named in the starting line-up{{cite news|url=https://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/svenska-cupen-herrar/grupp-4/?scr=result&fmid=2647797|title=IF Elfsborg 3–0 Östersunds FK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309121856/https://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/svenska-cupen-herrar/grupp-4/?scr=result&fmid=2647797|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=Swedish|date=1 March 2014|archive-date=9 March 2016}} and he went on to play a total of three games in the competition which IF Elfsborg later won beating Helsingborg in the final.{{cite news|url=https://svenskfotboll.se/cuper-och-serier/arkiv/cuper-serier/2014/05/elfsborg-cupmastare-2014/|title=Elfsborg cupmästare 2014|trans-title=Elfsborg, Cup Champion 2014|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=Swedish|date=18 May 2014}}

Zeneli made his first Allsvenskan appearance on 31 March after coming on as a substitute at 75th minute in place of injured Simon Hedlund in a 2–1 away defeat against Åtvidaberg.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/03/31/sweden/allsvenskan/atvidabergs-fotbollsforening/idrottsforening-elfsborg/1617159/|title=Åtvidaberg vs. Elfsborg 2–1|website=Soccerway|date=31 March 2014}} He played 16 games during the 2014 season and finished the season by scoring his first senior goal that subsequently sealed the win for his team against Brommapojkarna and he dedicated the goal to his former coach Klas Ingesson who had died a couple of days earlier.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.se/sport/zeneli-rord-efter-sitt-forsta-allsvenska-mal/|title=Zeneli rörd efter sitt första Allsvenska mål|trans-title=Zeneli moved after her first Allsvenskan goal|language=Swedish|publisher=Borås Tidning|date=1 November 2014}}

=Heerenveen=

On 10 November 2015, Zeneli signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Eredivisie club Heerenveen.{{cite news|url=https://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/nieuws/sc-heerenveen-versterkt-zich-in-winterstop-met-arber-zeneli/10|title=sc Heerenveen versterkt zich in winterstop met Arber Zeneli|trans-title=sc Heerenveen strengthens Arber Zeneli in winter break|language=Dutch|publisher=SC Heerenveen|date=10 November 2015}} Heerenveen reportedly paid a €2 million transfer fee. On 16 January 2016, he made his debut in a 5–2 home win against PEC Zwolle after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/arber-zeneli-debuton-me-humbje-te-heerenveeni/|title=Arbër Zeneli debuton me humbje te Heerenveeni|trans-title=Arbër Zeneli debuts with defeat at Heerenveen|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=16 January 2016}} On 23 January 2016, Zeneli scored his first goal for Heerenveen in a 3–1 win against Willem II in Matchday 19 of 2015–16 Eredivisie,{{cite news|url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/holland-1/svensksucce-nar-heerenveen-vande-och-vann/|title=Svensksuccé när Heerenveen vände och vann|trans-title=Swedish success when Heerenveen turned and won|language=Swedish|website=Fotbollskanalen|date=23 January 2016}} and his performance earned him the man of the match award.{{cite tweet|user=scHeerenveen|author=SC Heerenveen|author-link=SC Heerenveen|number=691011896825270272|date=23 January 2016|title=Man of the match is Arber Zeneli! #heewil}}

=Reims=

==2018–19 season==

On 25 January 2019, Heerenveen announced for the contract negotiations between Zeneli and Reims.{{cite news|url=https://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/nieuws/arber-zeneli-voor-contractonderhandelingen-naar-frankrijk/10|title=Arber Zeneli voor contractonderhandelingen naar Frankrijk|trans-title=Arber Zeneli for contract negotiations to France|quote=Arber Zeneli zet zijn voetbalcarrière mogelijk voort in de Ligue 1. De 23-jarige aanvaller heeft toestemming gekregen om vrijdag af te reizen naar Frankrijk en te onderhandelen over een contract met Stade de Reims. Wanneer club en speler tot een akkoord komen, vertrekt Zeneli deze winter uit Friesland|language=Dutch|publisher=SC Heerenveen|date=25 January 2019}} A day later, he joined Ligue 1 side Reims after agreeing to a five-year deal.{{cite news|url=http://stade-de-reims.com/arber-zeneli-dynamiteur-sdr/|title=Arber Zeneli, un dynamiteur au SDR!|trans-title=Arber Zeneli, a blaster at the SDR!|language=French|publisher=Stade de Reims|date=26 January 2019}} Reims reportedly paid a €4 million transfer fee.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/zyrtare-zeneli-bashkohet-stade-de-reims/|title=Zyrtare: Zeneli i bashkohet Stade de Reims|trans-title=Official: Zeneli joins Stade de Reims|quote=Besohet se klubit francez i ka kushtuar ky transferim rreth katër milionë euro, kurse lojtari ka nënshkruar kontratë pesë vjeçare|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=26 January 2019}} On 2 February 2019, he made his debut in a 2–1 home win against Marseille after coming on as a substitute at 73rd minute in place of injured Mathieu Cafaro.{{cite news|url=https://www.gazetaexpress.com/sport/zeneli-debuton-per-klubin-e-tij-te-ri-ja-nota-me-te-cilen-u-vleresua-paraqitja-e-tij-622642/|title=Zeneli debuton për klubin e tij të ri, ja nota me të cilën u vlerësua paraqitja e tij|trans-title=Zeneli debuts for his new club, the rating with which his appearance was evaluated|quote=Ylli i Kosovës, Arbër Zeneli, debutoi sonte për klubin e tij të ri, Stade de Reims, ku për 17 minutat që i luajti, u vlerësua me notë 5.9. Zeneli e filloi ndeshjen në stol, mirëpo në minutën e 73-të, trajneri David Guion vendosi ta inkuadrojë kosovarin në ndeshje|language=Albanian|publisher=Gazeta Express|date=2 February 2019}}

==2019–20 season==

During international duties in June 2019, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and was sidelined for most of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |last1=Rosenlund |first1=Alexander |last2=Pavlidis |first2=Frederic |title=Mardröm för Zeneli - blir borta runt åtta månader efter knäskada |url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/franska-ligan/mardrom-for-zeneli---blir-borta-runt-atta-manader-efter-knaskada/ |work=fotbollskanalen |date=10 June 2019 |language=sv}} After returning from injury, the Ligue 1 season was suspended indefinitely and since cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |title=Communiqué de la LFP |url=https://www.lfp.fr/Articles/COMMUNIQU%C3%89S/2020/03/13/communique-de-la-lfp |website=LFP |language=fr-FR |date=13 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Andersson |first1=Fredrik |title=Zeneli kom tillbaka från korsbandsskadan - sedan blåstes ligan av: Det var tufft för mig |url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/lundhs-podcast/zeneli-kom-tillbaka-fran-korsbandsskadan---sedan-blastes-ligan-av-det-var-tuff/ |work=fotbollskanalen |date=6 October 2020 |language=sv}}

==2020–21 season==

Zeneli returned to the pitch for the 2020–21 season, and made a total of 36 appearances in which he scored three goals.{{cite web |title=Arber Zeneli {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Stade de Reims {{!}} Season 2020/2021 {{!}} Soccer Base |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=75327&season_id=153 |website=soccerbase.com |access-date=22 January 2022}} He also featured in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers with Reims, who were eventually knocked out by Fehérvár in the third round.{{cite web |title=Fehérvár-Reims 2021 History |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2030379/ |website=UEFA |access-date=22 January 2022 |language=en}}

In August 2021, Zeneli tore his anterior cruciate ligament again, sidelining him for another extended period of time.{{cite web |title=Reims: Arber Zeneli out with ACL injury |url=https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/NEWS/2021/08/02/reims-arber-zeneli-out-with-acl-injury |website=Ligue 1 |date=2 August 2021}}

International career

=Sweden=

File:Sweden national under-21 football team, Euro 2015 celebration, players 47 (Zeneli).JPG in 2015.]]

From 2010, until 2016, Zeneli has been part of Sweden at youth international level, respectively has been part of the U17, U19 and U21 teams and he with these teams played 35 matches and scored 7 goals. On 2 June 2015, he was named as part of the Sweden U21's 23-man squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Czech Republic,{{cite news|url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/u21-herr/arkiv/landslag/2015/06/u21emtrupp2015/|title=Zeneli med i Ericsons EM-trupp|trans-title=Zeneli joins Ericson's EM squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201626/https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/u21-herr/arkiv/landslag/2015/06/u21emtrupp2015/|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=Swedish|date=2 June 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016}} where was declared the champion even though he was an unused substitute in those matches.

=Kosovo=

On 24 August 2016, Zeneli decided to represent Kosovo at senior international level.{{cite news|url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/sverige/zeneli-valjer-kosovo---har-ar-u21-truppen/|title=Zeneli väljer Kosovo - här är U21-truppen|trans-title=Zeneli chooses Kosovo - here is the U21 squad|language=Swedish|website=Fotbollskanalen|date=24 August 2016}} On 2 October 2016, he received a call-up from Kosovo for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Croatia and Ukraine.{{cite news|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/2016/10/02/perzgjedhesi-bunjaki-shpalli-listen-per-ndeshjet-me-kroacine-e-ukrainen/|title=Përzgjedhësi Bunjaki shpalli listën për ndeshjet me Kroacinë e Ukrainën|trans-title=Bunjaki announces the list of players for the matches with Croatia and Ukraine|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=2 October 2016|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193346/http://ffk-kosova.com/2016/10/02/perzgjedhesi-bunjaki-shpalli-listen-per-ndeshjet-me-kroacine-e-ukrainen/|archive-date=18 December 2018|url-status=dead}} On 6 October 2016, Zeneli made his debut with Kosovo in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Croatia after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://klankosova.tv/formacionet-zyrtare-kosove-kroaci/|title=Formacionet zyrtare: Kosovë – Kroaci|trans-title=Official line-ups: Kosovo – Croatia|quote=Kosova: Ujkani; Paqarada, Pepa, Pnishi, Përdedaj; V. Berisha, Kryeziu; B. Berisha, Zeneli, Rashica; Celina|language=Albanian|publisher=Klan Kosova|date=6 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/formacionet-zyrtare-kosove-kroaci-foto/|title=Formacionet zyrtare, Kosovë – Kroaci|trans-title=Official line-ups, Kosovo – Croatia|quote=Kosova: Ujkani; Paqarada, Pepa, Pnishi, Përdedaj; V. Berisha, Kryeziu; B. Berisha, Zeneli, Rashica; Celina|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=6 October 2016}}

Personal life

Zeneli was born in Säter, Sweden to Albanian parents{{cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=95&grupp=3839&artikel=6190075|title=Europeiskt intresse för Elfsborgs Zeneli|trans-title=European interest in Elfsborg's Zeneli|quote=Arber Zeneli, född 25 februari 1995, är en svensk mittfältare med albanskt ursprung som spelar för IF Elfsborg i Allsvenskan|language=Swedish|publisher=Sveriges Radio|date=15 June 2015}} from Selac, a village near Mitrovica,{{cite news|url=https://kallxo.com/ndryshe/arber-zeneli-djaloshi-me-origjine-nga-mitrovica-qe-po-ben-krenare-te-gjithe-foto/|title=Arbër Zeneli, djaloshi me origjinë nga Mitrovica që po bën krenarë të gjithë (FOTO)|trans-title=Arbër Zeneli, the boy with origin from Mitrovica that is making everyone proud (PHOTO)|quote=I lindur më 25 shkurt të vitit 1995, në qytetin Säter të Suedisë, Arbëri i ka prindërit nga Kosova, konkretisht nga Selaci i Mitrovicës|language=Albanian|publisher=Kallxo|date=21 November 2018}} but grew up in Falun, before moving to Borås with his family when he was 11 years old.{{cite news|url=https://www.dalademokraten.se/artikel/allsvenskan/elfsborgs-arber-zeneli-om-ingesson-och-barndomen-i-falun|title=Elfsborgs Arber Zeneli om Ingesson och barndomen i Falun|trans-title=Elfsborg's Arber Zeneli about Ingesson and childhood in Falun|language=Swedish|publisher=Dala-Demokraten|date=8 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.se/sommar/zeneli-en-bollkonstnar-i-skulpturstaden/|title=Zeneli – en bollkonstnär i skulpturstaden|trans-title=Zeneli – a ball artist in the sculpture town|language=Swedish|publisher=Borås Tidning|date=17 December 2017}} Zeneli has named his father Avni as his greatest role model in life.{{cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/sport/allsvenskan/supertalangen-peppas-av-anders-svensson|title=Supertalangen peppas av Anders Svensson|trans-title=The super talent is peppered by Anders Svensson|language=Swedish|publisher=Sveriges Television|date=2 June 2015}} He is the older brother of the Swedish footballer Besfort Zeneli.{{cite news|url=https://korrespodenti.com/sporti/njihuni-me-besfortin-vellain-e-arber-zenelit-qe-pritet-ta-pushtoje-boten-e-futbollit/|title=Njihuni me Besfortin, vëllain e Arbër Zenelit që pritet ta 'pushtojë' botën e futbollit|trans-title=Meet Besfort, the brother of Arbër Zeneli who is expected to 'conquer' the world of football|language=Albanian|website=korrespodenti.com|date=13 October 2019}}

In 2022, Zeneli married Dafina Hyseni in Mitrovica.{{cite news|url=https://klankosova.tv/arber-zeneli-fotosesionin-e-dasmes-e-realizoi-tek-kulla-e-isa-boletinit/|title=Arbër Zeneli fotosesionin e dasmës e realizoi tek Kulla e Isa Boletinit|date=19 June 2022|work=Klan Kosova|language=sq}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|IF Elfsborg \|2014 \|Allsvenskan \|16	1	4	1	1All appearances in UEFA Europa League	0	21	2
2015 \|Allsvenskan \|30	10	6	2	5	0	41	12
colspan="2"\|Total !46	11	10	3	6	0	62	14
rowspan="5"\|Heerenveen \|2015–16 \|Eredivisie \|17	4	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	17	4
2016–17 \|Eredivisie \|32	6	4	1	2	0	38	7
2017–18 \|Eredivisie \|22	4	1	2	2	0	25	6
2018–19 \|Eredivisie \|17	3	3	1	colspan="2"\|—	20	4
colspan="2"\|Total !88	17	8	4	4	0	100	21
rowspan="6"\|Reims \|2018–19 \|Ligue 1 \|15	3	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	15	3
2019–20 \|Ligue 1 \|1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
2020–21 \|Ligue 1 \|28	3	1	0	2	0	31	3
2021–22 \|Ligue 1 \|9	2	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	9	2
2022–23 \|Ligue 1 \|23	0	3	1	colspan="2"\|—	26	1
colspan="2"\|Total !76	8	4	1	2	0	82	9
Adana Demirspor \|2023–24 \|Süper Lig \|12	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	13	0
IF Elfsborg \|2024 \|Allsvenskan \|15	4	0	0	1	0	16	4
colspan="3"\|Career total !237	40	23	8	13	0	273	48

=International=

{{updated|match played 28 March 2023|{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29535|title=Arbër Zeneli|website=EU-Football.info|access-date=28 March 2023}}}}