Besar Musolli
{{Short description|Kosovo Albanian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Besar Musolli
|image = 20160714 EL Austria vs Kukesi 1619 (cropped).jpg
|upright = 1.1
|caption = Musolli with Kukësi in 2016
|full_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|28|df=y}}
|birth_place = Podujevë, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo)
|height = 1.84 m
|position = Defensive midfielder
|currentclub = Llapi
|clubnumber = 23
|youthyears1 = 2005–2009
|youthclubs1 = Prishtina
|years1 = 2009–2012
|clubs1 = Hysi
|caps1 = 66
|goals1 = 5
|years2 = 2012–2020
|clubs2 = Kukësi
|caps2 = 194
|goals2 = 2
|years3 = 2020–2023
|clubs3 = Gjilani
|caps3 = 91
|goals3 = 2
|years4 = 2023–
|clubs4 = Llapi
|caps4 = 57
|goals4 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2017
|nationalteam1 = Kosovo
|nationalcaps1 = 1
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|club-update = 26 June 2025
|nationalteam-update = 6 October 2017
}}
Besar Musolli (born 28 February 1989) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Kosovan club Llapi.
Club career
=Youth career and Hysi=
In 2005, Musolli began his career in the youth teams of Prishtina, when he was only 16 years old.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} In 2009, Musolli starts the career as a professional player to Football Superleague of Kosovo side Hysi, where he played for three years.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
=Kukësi=
File:20160714 EL Austria vs Kukesi 1619.jpg
On 1 July 2012, Musolli completed a transfer to Kategoria Superiore side Kukësi. He made his debut later on 25 August in the club's first ever top flight match against Luftëtari Gjirokastër which ended in a goalless draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/superliga/6547-kategoria-superiore-luftetari-mace-e-zeze-per-kukesin.html|title=Kategoria Superiore/ Luftetari "mace e zeze" per Kukesin|trans-title=Kategoria Superiore/ Luftëtari a “black cat” for Kukesin|publisher=Albania Soccer|language=Albanian|date=27 August 2012|accessdate=20 December 2017}}
On 22 May 2016, Musolli played in his second Albanian Cup final match against Laçi and scored the last penalty in the subsequent shoot-out win which secured Kukësi's first ever Albanian Cup trophy.{{cite web|url=http://top-channel.tv/2016/05/22/kukesi-fiton-kupen-e-shqiperise/|title=Kukësi fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë|trans-title=Kukësi wins Albanian Cup|publisher=Top-Channel.tv|language=Albanian|date=22 May 2016|accessdate=25 December 2017}}
On 4 August 2016, he agreed a contract extension, signing until June 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/shameti-dhe-musolli-rinovojnw-me-kukwsin/|title=Shameti dhe Musolli rinovojnë me Kukësin|trans-title=Shameti and Musolli renews with Kukësi|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Adi Metaliu|date=4 August 2016|accessdate=5 June 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021641/http://www.supersport.al/shameti-dhe-musolli-rinovojnw-me-kukwsin/|url-status=dead}} On 3 January 2018, following the retirement of veteran Rrahman Hallaçi,{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/hallaci-zyrtarizon-terheqjen-nga-futbolli-tashme-i-kushtohet-karrieres-se-re/|title=Hallaçi zyrtarizon tërheqjen nga futbolli, tashmë i kushtohet karrierës së re|trans-title=Hallaçi officially retires from football, and now is dedicated to a new career|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=8 January 2018|accessdate=9 January 2018}} Musolli was named vice-captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/hallaci-dorezon-shiritin-per-te-qene-zv-trajner-nexhipi-drejtor-profili-qe-doja/|title=Hallaçi dorëzon shiritin për të qenë zv.trajner, Nexhipi drejtor: Profili që doja…|trans-title=Hallaçi hands over the ribbon to be an assistant coach, Nexhipi the director: Profile that I would like…|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=3 January 2017|accessdate=3 January 2017}} He made his 150th Kategoria Superiore appearance later on 14 March in the 2–1 away loss to Luftëtari Gjirokastër in the league matchday 25.{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/musolli-zoteria-200-ja-6-sezonet-si-kuksian/|title=Musolli, "zotëria 200": Ja 6 sezonet si "kuksian"|trans-title=Musolli, “mister 200”: Here are his 6 seasons as “kuksian”|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=3 January 2017|accessdate=3 January 2017}} Five days later, Musolli scored his first-ever league goal for the club in his 200th appearance in all competitions, netting a tap-in in a 2–0 home win over Vllaznia Shkodër.{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/kukesi-thyen-vllaznine-arbitri-denon-shkodranet/|title=Kukësi thyen Vllazninë, arbitri dënon shkodranët|trans-title=Kukësi breaks Vllaznia, the referee punishes Shkodra|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=19 March 2018|accessdate=20 March 2018}} In the post-match interview, when asked about this achievement, Musolli stated: I want to be Francesco Totti of Kukësi.{{cite web|url=http://telesport.al/musolli-200-ndeshje-dua-te-behem-totti-i-kukesit/|title=Musolli: 200 ndeshje? Dua të bëhem "Totti i Kukësit"|trans-title=Musolli: 200 matches? I want to be “Totti of Kukësi”|publisher=Telesport.al|language=Albanian|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=19 March 2018|accessdate=20 March 2018}}
On 1 August 2018, Musolli played in the 3–0 loss to Qarabağ in the second leg of 2018–19 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2024639--qarabag-vs-kukes/|title=Qarabağ 3-0 Kukësi|publisher=UEFA|date=1 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018}} By doing so, he reached 215 appearances for the club, equaling Rrahman Hallaçi as the player with most appearances for the club.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/musolli-takim-me-historine-ne-baku-thyen-dy-rekorde/|title=Musolli takim me historinë, në Baku thyen dy rekorde|trans-title=Musolli meeting with history, in Baku breaks two records|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=28 July 2018|accessdate=15 August 2018}} He broke the record in the next match against Torpedo Kutaisi in the first leg of 2018–19 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2025362--torpedo-kutaisi-vs-kukes/|title=Torpedo Kutaisi 5-2 Kukësi|publisher=UEFA|date=9 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018}}
Musolli suffered a major injury on 15 September during the league match against Teuta Durrës and was replaced at half time.{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/lajm-i-keq-per-kuksianet-musolli-humbet-me-shume-se-gjysmen-e-sezonit/|title=Lajm i keq për kuksianët, Musolli humbet më shumë se gjysmën e sezonit|trans-title=Bad news for Kukësi, Musolli will miss more than half of the season|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=21 September 2018|accessdate=24 September 2018}} Following the examination, it was confirmed that Musolli has whacked the ligament of his right knee and will remain sidelined for the next six months.{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/te-gjithe-ne-mbeshtetje-te-musollit-dedikime-speciale/|title=Të gjithë në mbështetje të Musollit, dedikime speciale|trans-title=All in support of Musolli, special dedications|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=21 September 2018|accessdate=24 September 2018}}
International career
On 5 June 2017, Musolli received his first call-up from Kosovo for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.ffk-kosova.com/federata/?p=20021|title=Bunjaku publikoi listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen me Turqinë|trans-title=Bunaku publishes the footballers list for the match with Turkey|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|language=Albanian|date=5 June 2017|accessdate=5 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/gladiatori-musolli-ftese-nga-perfaqesuesja-e-kosoves/|title="Gladiatori" Musolli, ftesë nga Përfaqësuesja e Kosovës|trans-title="Gladiator" Musolli, an invitation from Kosovo representation|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=5 June 2017|accessdate=5 June 2017}} His debut occurred later on 6 October where he started in another qualifying match against Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/10/06/europe/wc-qualifying-europe/kosovo/ukraine/2253311/|title=Kosovo vs. Ukraine 0 – 2|publisher=Soccerway|date=6 October 2017|accessdate=6 October 2017}}
Personal life
In July 2013, he along with Yll Hoxha were provided with Albanian passport.{{cite web|url=http://borozani.com/artikulli/kosovaret-me-pasaporta-shqiptare/kategoria-superiore|title=Yll Hoxha dhe Besar Musolli paisen me pasaporta shqiptare|trans-title=Yll Hoxha and Besar Musolli are equipped with Albanian passports|publisher=Borozani.com|language=Albanian|date=31 July 2013|accessdate=31 July 2013|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325151826/http://borozani.com/artikulli/kosovaret-me-pasaporta-shqiptare/kategoria-superiore|url-status=dead}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|9 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/besar-musolli/253725/|title=Kosovo - B. Musolli - Profile with news, career statistics and history|website=Soccerway|accessdate=31 December 2014}}{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="8"|Kukësi
|rowspan="7"|Kategoria Superiore |21 | 0 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 0 | |||
| 2013–14
|14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|26 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16
|34 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17
|33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB|Appearance in Albanian Supercup}} | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2017–18
|32 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2018–19
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!164 | 1 | 34 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 221 | 3 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!164 | 1 | 34 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 221 | 3 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|6 October 2017|{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29970|title=Besar Musolli|publisher=EU-Football.info|date=6 October 2017}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Kosovo | |||
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 1 | 0 |
Honours
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT player|69086}}
- {{FSHF player|236661}}
- {{UEFA player|250059698}}
{{KF Llapi squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Musolli, Bledar}}
Category:Sportspeople from Podujevë
Category:Footballers from the District of Pristina
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:Kosovo men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Football Superleague of Kosovo players
Category:Kategoria Superiore players
Category:Kosovan expatriate men's footballers