Perlat Musta

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Perlat Musta

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|10|15}}

| birth_place = Vlorë, Albania

| height =

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Partizani Tirana

| years1 = 1979–1991 | clubs1 = Partizani Tirana | caps1 = 205| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 1991–1994 | clubs2 = Dinamo București | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1992–1993 | clubs3 = → Progresul (loan) | caps3 = 0 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 1994–1996 | clubs4 = Partizani Tirana | caps4 = 29 | goals4 = 0

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 = Albania U21

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 1981–1993

| nationalteam2 = Albania

| nationalcaps2 = 23

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| manageryears1 = 1997–1998 | managerclubs1 = Partizani Tirana

| manageryears2 = 2009–2011 | managerclubs2 = Kamza

| manageryears3 = 2012 | managerclubs3 = Partizani

}}

Perlat Musta (born 15 October 1958) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He has been considered by many pundits in Albania as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Albania. In December 2018 he was honoured for his services to Albanian football, alongside Edvin Murati and Qamil Teliti.[http://telegraf.al/sport/musta-murati-dhe-teliti-pas-vdekjes-dekorohen-me-nderi-i-futbollit-shqiptar/ Musta, Murati dhe Teliti (pas vdekjes) dekorohen me "Nderi i futbollit shqiptar"] – Telegraf {{in lang|sq}}

Early life

Perlat Musta was born in Vlorë on 15 October 1958 into a family which did not have "strong" connections with football.{{cite web|url=https://durreslajm.al/speciale/perlat-musta-legjenda-e-port%C3%ABs|title=Perlat Musta, legjenda e portës|trans-title=Perlat Musta, legend of goal|publisher=Durrës Lajm|language=Albanian|date=16 August 2014|access-date=9 September 2018}} He began to show his liking for football at the age of 10, and unlike his coevals, Musta's favourite position was goalkeeper.

Club career

Musta was a product of Partizani Tirana academy, and was promoted to senior squad in 1979 and went on to play there until 1991.{{cite web|url=http://telesport.al/58-vjet-perlat-musta-superportieri-bio-partizanit/|title=58 vjet Perlat Musta, superportieri "bio" i Partizanit!|trans-title=58 years Perlat Musta, supergoalkeeper "bio" of Partizani|publisher=Telesport.al|language=Albanian|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=15 October 2016|access-date=9 September 2018}} In January 1991, he scored from the penalty spot in a league match against Luftëtari.{{cite book |last=Hammond |first=Mike |title=European Football Yearbook 1991/92|date=2 August 1991 |publisher=Sports Projects Ltd |page=72 |isbn=0-94686603-1 }} He left Albania in 1991 like many Albanians following the fall of communism, joining Romanian side Dinamo București. He failed to establish himself as a regular at Dinamo because of the two Romanian international goalkeepers, Florin Prunea and Florin Tene.

He played only two matches in his first season at Ştefan cel Mare in his first season, but he managed to win his first and only Champion of Romania title. He was loaned to Progresul București, but returned to Dinamo București. In 1994 he returned to Partizani Tirana where he played as starter in the next two seasons and also served as goalkeeper Coach.

International career

Musta had a successful youth international career, winning Balkan Youth Championship twice in 1978 and 1981.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/balkan-u23.html|title=Balkan Youth Championship 1968–1981|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 September 2018}}

He made his senior debut for Albania in a September 1981 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Finland and earned a total of 23 caps, scoring no goals.[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/alba-recintlp.html Appearances for Albania National Team] – RSSSF

His final international was a June 1993 World Cup qualification against Denmark.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=14674|title=Player Database}} He was also once the captain of the team in a match against Romania, which took place in 1987 on the Steaua Stadium.

Personal life

His daughter Aulona Musta is an Albanian blogger and social media celebrity.[http://www.panorama.com.al/perlat-musta-ja-kur-me-ka-zhgenjyer-per-here-te-pare-vajza-ime-aulona/ Perlat Musta: Ja kur më ka zhgënjyer për herë të parë vajza ime Aulona] – Panorama {{in lang|sq}}

Career statistics

Source:{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=14674|title=Perlat Musta – national football team player|publisher=EU-Football.info|access-date=9 September 2018}}

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan=8\|Albania \|1981	3	0	10
1982	2	0	1
1983	5	0	8
1984	3	0	5
1985	4	0	4
1986	2	0	5
1987	2	0	6
1993	2	0	6
colspan=2\|Total	23	0	45