Mentor Mazrekaj

{{short description|Kosovan professional footballer (born 1989)}}

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Mentor Mazrekaj

|image =

|caption =

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|2|8|df=y}}

|birth_place = Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia

|height = 1.87 m

|position = Winger

|currentclub = Iliria Fushe–Krujë

|clubnumber = 10

|youthyears1 = 2004–2008

|youthclubs1 = Prishtina

|years1 = 2008–2013

|clubs1 = Prishtina

|caps1 = 108

|goals1 = 17

|years2 = 2013

|clubs2 = → Partizani Tirana (loan)

|caps2 = 14

|goals2 = 0

|years3 = 2013–2017

|clubs3 = Partizani Tirana

|caps3 = 79

|goals3 = 12

|years4 = 2017–2018

|clubs4 = Prishtina

|caps4 = 9

|goals4 = 1

|years5 = 2018–2019

|clubs5 = Ferizaj

|caps5 = 4

|goals5 = 1

|years6 = 2019

|clubs6 = Fortuna Oslo

|caps6 = 0

|goals6 = 0

|years7 = 2019

|clubs7 = 2 Korriku

|caps7 = 9

|goals7 = 2

|years8 = 2019

|clubs8 = Llapi

|caps8 = 3

|goals8 = 0

|years9 = 2020–2023

|clubs9 = Laçi

|caps9 = 97

|goals9 = 12

|years10 = 2023–2024

|clubs10 = Struga

|caps10 = 26

|goals10 = 2

|years11 = 2024–2025

|clubs11 = Besa Kavajë

|caps11 = 12

|goals11 = 8

|years12 = 2025–

|clubs12 = Iliria Fushe–Krujë

|caps12 = 0

|goals12 = 0

|club-update = 6 November 2024

}}

Mentor Xhemajl Mazrekaj (born 8 February 1989) is a Kosovan-Albanian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Albanian club Iliria Fushe–Krujë.{{Soccerway}}

Club career

=Prishtina=

==Loan at Partizani==

On 31 July 2013, Mazrekaj was loaned for six months to Kategoria Superiore side Partizani, with an option to extend the deal for a further year.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/zyrtare-mentor-mazrekaj-clirohet-nga-prihtina-dhe-huazohet-gjashte-muaj-te-partizani/|title=Zyrtare, Mazrekaj çlirohet nga Prishtina dhe huazohet për gjashtë muaj tek Partizani|trans-title=Official, Mazrekaj is liberated from Prishtina and loaned to Partizan for six months|language=Albanian|author=Armand Halili|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=31 July 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://topsporti.com/artikulli/edhe-mazrekaj-te-partizani|title=Edhe Mazrekaj te Partizani|trans-title=Even Mazrekaj to Partizani|language=Albanian|website=TopSporti|date=31 July 2013}} One month later, he made his debut in a 0–2 away win against Kastrioti after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/31/albania/super-league/ks-kastrioti-kruje/kf-partizani-tirana/1543889/|title=Kastrioti Krujë vs. Partizani Tirana 0–2|website=Soccerway|date=31 August 2013}}

=Return to Partizani=

On 13 December 2013, Mazrekaj become a permanent player of Partizani after agreeing to a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://tvklan.al/nenshkruan-mazrekaj-edhe-3-vite-me-partizanin/|title=Nënshkruan Mazrekaj, edhe 3 vite me Partizanin|trans-title=Mazrekaj signs, another 3 years with Partizani|language=Albanian|publisher=TV Klan|date=13 December 2013}} Two days later, he played the first game as permanent player against Besa after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/12/15/albania/super-league/kf-partizani-tirana/ks-besa-kavaje/1543969/|title=Partizani Tirana vs. Besa Kavajë 3–1|website=Soccerway|date=15 December 2013}}

=Return to Prishtina=

On 25 July 2017, Mazrekaj returned to Football Superleague of Kosovo club Prishtina,{{cite web|url=http://prishtinafc.com/al/lajme/post/mentor-mazrekaj-rikthehet-ne-shtepi/|title=Mentor Mazrekaj rikthehet në shtëpi|trans-title=Mentor Mazrekaj returned in home|language=Albanian|publisher=FC Prishtina|date=25 July 2017}} and received squad number 10.{{cite web|url=http://prishtinafc.com/al/lajme/post/momentalisht-24-futbolliste-perforcimet-ende-nuk-jane-mbyllur|title=Momentalisht 24 futbollistë – përforcimet ende nuk janë mbyllur|trans-title=Currently 24 players – reinforcements are not closed yet|quote=10. Mentor Mazrekaj|language=Albanian|publisher=FC Prishtina|date=3 August 2017}} On 20 August 2017, he made his debut in a 0–1 home defeat against Drita after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=http://prishtinafc.com/al/lajme/post/java-i-prishtina-drita-01|title=Java I: Prishtina – Drita 0:1|trans-title=Week I: Prishtina – Drita 0:1|language=Albanian|publisher=FC Prishtina|date=20 August 2017}}

=Ferizaj=

On 6 September 2018, Mazrekaj joined Football Superleague of Kosovo side Ferizaj.{{cite web|url=https://www.koha.net/sport/115621/ferizaj-perforcohet-me-mentor-mazrekajn/|title=Ferizaj përforcohet me Mentor Mazrekajn|trans-title=Ferizaj is reinforced with Mentor Mazrekaj|language=Albanian|publisher=Koha Ditore|date=6 September 2018}} Nine days later, he made his debut in a 0–0 away draw over his former club Prishtina after coming on as a substitute.{{cite web|url=https://topsporti.com/artikulli/ferizaji-nxjerr-piken-e-pare-si-mysafir/ffk-superliga-e-kosoves|title=Ferizaji nxjerr pikën e parë si mysafir|trans-title=Ferizaj draws the first point as guest|language=Albanian|website=TopSporti|date=15 September 2018}}

=Fortuna Oslo and 2 Korriku=

In January 2019, Mazrekaj signed with Norwegian club Fortuna Oslo, but he resigned again at the end of the month.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetaexpress.com/sport-mazrekaj-largohet-nga-klubi-norvegjez-e-vazhdon-karrieren-ne-kosove-620755/|title=Mazrekaj largohet nga klubi norvegjez, e vazhdon karrierën në Kosovë|trans-title=Mazrekaj leaves the Norwegian club, continues his career in Kosovo|language=Albanian|publisher=Gazeta Express|date=28 January 2019}} He then signed on 20 February with First Football League of Kosovo club 2 Korriku for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=https://sportekspres.com/deshton-transferimi-ne-norvegji-mazrekaj-gjen-skuader-ne-kryeqytet/|title=Dështon transferimi në Norvegji, Mazrekaj gjen skuadër në kryeqytet|trans-title=Transfer to Norway fails, Mazrekaj finds a team in the capital city|language=Albanian|publisher=Sport Ekspres|date=19 July 2017}} On 2 March 2019, Mazrekaj made his debut in a league match against Arbëria after being named in the starting line-up and scored his side's first goal during a 3–0 home win.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetasheshi.com/mentor-mazrekaj-sot-debutoi-me-gol-te-kjo-skuader-e-liges-se-pare/|title=Mentor Mazrekaj sot debutoi me gol te kjo skuadër e Ligës së Parë|trans-title=Mentor Mazrekaj today debuted with a goal for this team of the First League|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Sheshi|date=2 March 2019}}

=Llapi=

On 12 August 2019, Mazrekaj signed a two-year contract with Football Superleague of Kosovo club Llapi.{{cite web|url=https://llapifc.com/2019/08/12/zyrtare-mentor-mazrekaj-vishet-bardhekalter-per-dy-vite-do-jete-pjese-e-llapit/|title=Zyrtare: Mentor Mazrekaj vishet bardhekaltër, për dy vite do jetë pjesë e Llapit|trans-title=Official: Mentor Mazrekaj wears white and blue, for two years he will be part of Llapi|language=Albanian|publisher=KF Llapi|date=12 August 2019}} Nineteen days later, he made his debut in a 0–0 home draw against Ballkani after coming on as a substitute at 75th minute in place of Mergim Pefqeli.{{cite news|url=https://llapifc.com/2019/08/31/java-iii-llapi-ballkani-0-0/|title=Java III: Llapi – Ballkani 0–0|trans-title=Week III: Llapi – Ballkani 0–0|language=Albanian|publisher=KF Llapi|date=31 August 2019}}

=Laçi=

On 19 August 2020, Mazrekaj joined Kategoria Superiore side Laçi.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.al/zyrtare-mazrekaj-rikthehet-ne-superiore-mundesi-per-te-treguar-vlerat/|title=Zyrtare/Mazrekaj rikthehet në Superiore: Mundësi për të treguar vlerat!|trans-title=Official/Mazrekaj returns to Superiore: Opportunity to show values!|language=Albanian|publisher=ABC News Albania|date=19 August 2020}} Nine days later, he made his debut with Laçi in the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round match against the Azerbaijani side Keşla after coming on as a substitute at 120th minute in place of Teco.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/live-laci-heroik-me-10-lojtare-tani-provon-fatin-ne-ruleten-e-penalltive-video/|title=LAÇI HEROIK/Sherri i dhuron kualifikimin pas 120 minutash (VIDEO)|trans-title=HEROIC LAÇI/Sherri donates the qualification after 120 minutes (VIDEO)|language=Albanian|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=28 August 2020}}

=Besa=

On 5 June 2024, Mazrekaj officially joined Besa in the Kategoria e Parë, returning to Albania after one year.{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/foto-mirel-josa-zyrtarizohet-te-besa-edhe-mazrekaj-e-goxhaj-ne-prezantim/#gsc.tab=0|title=FOTO/ Mirel Josa zyrtarizohet te Besa, edhe Mazrekaj e Goxhaj në prezantim|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=5 June 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}} He made his debut in season opener, a 2–0 home win against Valbona.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/08/24/albania/league-1/valbona/ks-besa-kavaje/4429142/|title=Valbona vs. Besa 0 – 2|publisher=Soccerway|date=24 August 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}} In the next game, Mazrekaj scored directly from a corner kick to give his team all three points in the away match against Korabi.{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/video-kryeveper-e-mazrekajt-nga-kendorja-dhe-karton-i-kuq-besa-mposht-korabin-e-merr-fitoren-e-dyte-radhazi/#gsc.tab=0|title=VIDEO/ Kryevepër e Mazrekajt nga këndorja dhe karton i kuq, Besa mposht Korabin e merr fitoren e dytë radhazi|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=1 September 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/realizoi-eurogol-nga-goditja-e-kendit-mazrekaj-zbulon-sekretin-kam-bere-nja-5-6-te-tille-portieri-ishte-pak-i-vogel-ne-trup-dhe/#gsc.tab=0|title=Realizoi eurogol nga goditja e këndit, Mazrekaj zbulon sekretin: Kam bërë nja 5-6 të tillë, portieri ishte pak i vogël në trup dhe…|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=1 September 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}} On 16 September, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Kastrioti.{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besa-marshon-drejt-elites-likuidon-edhe-kastriotin-josa-goli-i-pare-na-ndihmoi-bubeqi-gjyqtari-ndikoi-te-disavantazhi/#gsc.tab=0|title=Besa marshon drejt elitës, likuidon edhe Kastriotin. Josa: Goli i parë na ndihmoi. Bubeqi: Gjyqtari ndikoi te disavantazhi|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=17 September 2024|access-date=17 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kjo-tripleta-e-pare-ne-karriere-mentor-mazrekaj-ja-dedikoj-vjehrrit/#gsc.tab=0|title="Kjo tripleta e parë në karrierë", Mentor Mazrekaj: Ja dedikoj… vjehrrit|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=16 September 2024|access-date=16 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/me-besen-shenoi-tripleten-e-pare-ne-karriere-mazrekaj-merr-topin-e-firmosur-nga-shoket-kujtim-i-paharrueshem/#gsc.tab=0|title=Me Besën shënoi tripletën e parë në karrierë, Mazrekaj merr topin e firmosur nga shokët: Kujtim i paharrueshëm|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=16 September 2024|access-date=16 September 2024}}