Rubin Hebaj

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rubin Hebaj

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Rubin Hebaj

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|7|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Shkodër, Albania

| height = 1.87 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Nasaf

| clubnumber = 99

| youthyears1 = 2012–2017 | youthclubs1 = Vllaznia

| years1 = 2015–2017 | clubs1 = Vllaznia | caps1 = 23 | goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2016 | clubs2 = → Vllaznia B | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2017–2019 | clubs3 = Domžale | caps3 = 14 | goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2018–2019 | clubs4 = → Partizani (loan) | caps4 = 21 | goals4 = 4

| years5 = 2019 | clubs5 = Vorskla Poltava | caps5 = 5 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2020–2021 | clubs6 = Teuta | caps6 = 26 | goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2021 | clubs7 = Shkëndija | caps7 = 26 | goals7 = 4

| years8 = 2022 | clubs8 = Teuta | caps8 = 35 | goals8 = 11

| years9 = 2023–2024 | clubs9 = Andijon | caps9 = 24 | goals9 = 12

| years10 = 2024 | clubs10 = Al-Orobah | caps10 = 12 | goals10 = 3

| years11 = 2024 | clubs11 = CS Sfaxien | caps11 = 6 | goals11 = 2

| years12 = 2025– | clubs12 = Nasaf | caps12 = 1 | goals12 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2014 | nationalteam1 = Albania U17{{Efn|name=UEFA|Official competitive UEFA matches only.}} | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2015 | nationalteam2 = Albania U19{{Efn|name=UEFA}} | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2017 | nationalteam3 = Albania U21{{Efn|name=UEFA}} | nationalcaps3 = 4 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| club-update = 18 April 2025

| nationalteam-update = 9 October 2017

}}

Rubin Hebaj (born 30 July 1998) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Uzbekistan Super League club Nasaf.

Club career

=Early career=

Hebaj started his youth career aged 14 with Vllaznia in September 2012 and was placed in under-15 team. With under-15 side Hebaj won the National Regional Championship and was voted as the best player of the tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/298-rajonalet-u15-shkodra-fiton-gjithcka|title=Rajonalet U15, Shkodra fiton gjithcka|trans-title=Regions U15, Shkodra wins everything|publisher=FSHF.org|language=Albanian|date=4 July 2013|accessdate=22 June 2017}} After spending one season with under-15 he advanced in other youth teams of Vllaznia. During the 2016–17 season he played for Vllaznia B in the Kategoria e Dytë, scoring two goals in three matches.[http://www.fshf.org/garat/components/lojtar.php?player_id=232974 Rubin Hebaj profile] FSHF.org

=Vllaznia=

He made his debut with the Vllaznia first team under the coach Armir Grimaj in the 2015–16 Albanian Cup match against Apolonia on 28 October 2015 in a goalless draw, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute in place of Santiago Martinez.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/10/28/albania/cup/ks-apolonia-fier/ks-vllaznia-shkoder/2163392/|title=Apolonia Fier vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 0 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=28 October 2015|accessdate=22 June 2017}}

=Domžale=

On 22 June 2017, Hebaj moved for the first time aboard by joining Slovenian team Domžale on a three-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/zyrtare-hebaj-firmos-ne-slloveni/|title=Zyrtare, Hebaj firmos në Slloveni|trans-title=Official, Hebaj signs in Slovenia|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|author=Gaspër Marku|date=22 June 2017|accessdate=22 June 2017}} He made his debut on 30 July 2017 against Ankaran in the third game week, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute in place of Matija Rom.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/07/30/slovenia/1-snl/mas-tech/nogometni-klub-domale/2474743/ Ankaran Hrvatini vs. Domžale - 30 July 2017] Soccerway He scored his first goal on 27 August 2017 against Krško in his third match played. In the contest, Hebaj provided the assist for Alen Ožbolt's equalising goal and, minutes later, scored himself for the 2–1 lead. However, Krško managed to win the game with a score of 4–2.{{cite news|title=VIDEO / Gol dhe asist, Ruben Hebaj fillon të lërë shenjë te Domzhale|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/video-gol-dhe-asist-ruben-hebaj-fillon-te-lere-shenje-te-domzhale/|accessdate=3 September 2017|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=27 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Krško vs. Domžale - 27 August 2017|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/08/27/slovenia/1-snl/nk-krko/nogometni-klub-domale/2474763/|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=3 September 2017}}

==Loan to Partizani==

On 27 July 2018, Partizani reached an agreement with Domžale for the services of Hebaj on a one-year loan; his salary will be paid by his parent club.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/rubin-hebaj-akord-me-partizanin-rrogen-do-ti-paguaje-domazhale/|title=Rubin Hebaj akord me Partizanin, rrogën do t'i paguajë Domazhale|trans-title=Rubin Hebaj agreement with Partizani, his wage will be paid by Domžale|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=27 July 2018|accessdate=15 December 2018}} He was presented the following day, receiving the squad number 9.{{cite news|url=https://konica.al/2018/07/e-merr-ne-forme-huazimi-partizani-prezanton-talentin-shkodran/|title=E merr në formë huazimi, Partizani prezanton talentin shkodran|trans-title=Partizani takes on loan and presentes the talent from Shkodra|publisher=Konica.al|language=Albanian|date=28 July 2018|accessdate=15 December 2018}} He endured a difficult first part of the season, spending the time between bench and the pitch.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/gega-ndjeme-lodhjen-hebaj-dhe-cinari-duhet-te-shtynin-me-shume/|title=Gega: Ndjemë lodhjen, Hebaj dhe Çinari duhet të shtynin më shumë|trans-title=Gega: We are feeling the fatigue, Hebaj and Çinari need to push harder|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=8 October 2018|accessdate=15 December 2018}} However, he proved to be decisive in the capital derby against Tirana, as he came from the bench to score a brace, his first league goals, to help the team overturn the result and win 2–1 to maintain the championship lead.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/video-cmenduri-ne-derbi-partizani-permbys-gjithcka/|title=VIDEO – Derbi i çmendur, Hebaj dërgon "demat" në ekstazë|trans-title=Video – Crazy derby, Hebaj sends the 'bulls' in ecstasy|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=30 November 2018|accessdate=15 December 2018}}

=Teuta=

On 21 January 2020, Hebaj returned to Kategoria Superiore by inking a six-month contract with Teuta.{{cite news|url=https://gazetasi.al/doli-kampion-me-partizanin-rubin-hebaj-firmos-per-teuten/|title=Rubin Hebaj firmos për Teutën|trans-title=Rubin Hebaj signs for Teuta|publisher=Gazeta Si|language=sq|date=21 January 2020|accessdate=8 January 2023}} He made his debut on 2 February in the 2–1 away loss to Tirana,{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/02/02/albania/super-league/kf-tirana/ks-teuta-durres/3130638/|title=Tirana vs. Teuta 2 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=2 February 2020|access-date=8 January 2023}} and scored his first goal in the 5–1 away win against Luftëtari on 20 June.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/06/20/albania/super-league/ks-luftetari-gjirokaster/ks-teuta-durres/3130688/|title=Luftëtari vs. Teuta 1 – 5|publisher=Soccerway|date=20 June 2020|access-date=8 January 2023}}

He concluded the second half of 2019–20 season with two goals from 15 league appearances. On 31 August, Hebaj scored a brace in the 2–1 win against Tirana at Elbasan Arena for the 2020 Albanian Supercup, giving Teuta its first silverware of the new season.{{cite news|url=https://a2news.com/2020/08/31/teuta-e-nis-sezonin-me-trofe-fiton-superkupen-e-shqiperise-ndaj-tiranes/|title=Teuta e nis sezonin me trofe, fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë ndaj Tiranës|trans-title=Teuta starts the season with a trophy, wins the Albanian Supercup over Tirana|website=a2news.com|language=sq|date=31 January 2020|accessdate=8 January 2023}}

However, Hebaj underperformed in the league, recording only one goal in 11 appearances in the first half of the season, which lead the club to terminate his contract by mutual consent.{{cite web|url=https://www.syri.net/syri_kosova/sport/205954/teuta-nderpret-kontraten-me-rubin-hebaj/|title=Teuta ndërpret kontratën me Rubin Hebaj|trans-title=Teuta terminate the contract with Rubin Hebaj|website=Syri.net|language=sq|date=9 January 2021|accessdate=8 January 2023}}

=Shkëndija=

In January 2021, following his release by Teuta, Hebaj joined KF Shkëndija in North Macedonia on a two-and-a-half contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.kfshkendija.com/komunikate-zyrtare-rubin-hebaj-firmos-me-shkendijen/|title=KOMUNIKATË ZYRTARE: RUBIN HEBAJ FIRMOS ME SHKËNDIJËN|trans-title=Rubin Hebaj signs with Shkëndija|publisher=KF Shkëndija|language=sq|date=19 January 2021|accessdate=8 January 2023}}

=Return to Teuta=

On 4 January 2022, Teuta announced to have resigned Hebaj for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.infosport.mk/2022/01/04/zyrtare-rubin-hebaj-rikthehet-te-teuta/|title=ZYRTARE, Rubin Hebaj Rikthehet Te Teuta|trans-title=Official, Rubin Hebaj returns to Teuta|website=infosport.mk|language=sq|date=4 January 2022|accessdate=8 January 2023}}

=Andijon=

In February 2023, Hebaj signed a two-year contract with FK Andijon in Uzbekistan as a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.supersport.al/zyrtare-rubin-hebaj-transferohet-ne-uzbekistan/|title=Zyrtare, Rubin Hebaj transferohet në Uzbekistan|trans-title=Official, Rubin Hebaj transferred to Uzbekistan|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=sq|date=16 February 2023|accessdate=13 April 2023}}

=Al-Orobah=

On 31 January 2024, Hebaj joined Saudi First Division League club Al-Orobah.{{cite web |title=العروبة يوقع مع المهاجم الألباني روبين هيباي |url=https://twitter.com/ALOROBAH_FC/status/1752446530085064996}}

=CS Sfaxien=

On 8 September 2024, Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club CS Sfaxien announced the signing of Hebaj to a two-year contract.{{cite web |title=Welcome Rubin 🇦🇱 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C_qhji0NhSk/?hl=en |website=instagram.com/club_sportif.sfaxien/ |publisher=CS Sfaxien Instagram |access-date=9 September 2024 |language=Arabic |date=8 September 2024}}

International career

=Albania U17=

Hebaj was called up by Albania under-17 team coach Džemal Mustedanagić to participate in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification where Albania was placed in Group 9.{{cite news|url=http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2620-kombetarja-u-17-gati-per-eliminatoret|title=Kombëtarja U-17, gati per Eliminatoret|trans-title=Under-17 national team, ready for the qualifying|publisher=FSHF.org|language=Albanian|date=6 October 2014|accessdate=6 October 2014}} He made his debut on 8 October in the first match against Norway where he appeared as a second-half substitute in an eventual 3–0 defeat.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/08/europe/uefa-u17-championship/norway-under-17/albania-under-17/1901653/|title=Norway U17 3 – 0 Albania U17|publisher=Soccerway|date=8 October 2014|accessdate=22 June 2017}} He went on to play in the remaining two matches as Albania failed to pass the group, finishing in third position.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2015/standings/round=2000513/group=2002873/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920211024/http://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2015/standings/round=2000513/group=2002873/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2014|title=Under-17 - Standings|publisher=UEFA|access-date=22 June 2017}}

=Albania U19=

In November 2015, Hebaj was called to the under-19s by the coach Arjan Bellaj for the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/3114-u-19-nis-grumbullimi-per-eliminatoret|title=U-19, nis grumbullimi për eliminatoret|trans-title=U-19, the gather for qualifiers has begun|publisher=FSHF.org|language=Albanian|date=3 November 2015|accessdate=3 November 2015}} He managed to play in all three matches in Group 8, as Albania was eliminated in the process, finishing third.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2016/standings/round=2000601/group=2003580/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906122015/http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2016/standings/round=2000601/group=2003580/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2015|title=Under-19 - Standings|publisher=UEFA|access-date=22 June 2017}}

=Albania U20=

He received his first call up for the Albania under-20 side by Alban Bushi for the friendly match against Georgia U20 on 14 November 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5880-u-21-bushi-ne-konference-per-shtyp|title=U-21, Bushi ne konference per shtyp|accessdate=8 November 2017|publisher=FSHF.org|date=6 November 2017|language=Albanian|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107062903/http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5880-u-21-bushi-ne-konference-per-shtyp|archivedate=7 November 2017}} He debuted for under-20 team against Georgia playing the full 90-minutes match, finished in a 3–0 loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5909-u-20-humbet-ndeshjen-miqesore-ne-gjeorgj|title=U-20, humbet ndeshjen miqësore në Gjeorgji|publisher=FSHF.org|language=Albanian|date=14 November 2017|accessdate=16 November 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115084056/http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5909-u-20-humbet-ndeshjen-miqesore-ne-gjeorgj|archivedate=15 November 2017}}

=Albania U21=

Hebaj received the first call-up at under-21 squad by coach Redi Jupi for the closing 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Israel on 10 October 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/fshf-skandal-shpresat-fshihet-lista-e-kombetares-u-21/|title=FSHF skandal me Shpresat, fshihet lista e Kombëtares U-21|trans-title=FSHF scandal with "hopes", the list of under-21 national team is deleted|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=10 October 2016|accessdate=22 June 2017}} However, he was an unused substitute as Albania was defeated 4–0.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/10/europe/uefa-u21-championship/israel-under-21/albania-under-21/2021353/ Israel U21 vs. Albania U21 - 10 October 2016] Soccerway

Hebaj was called up by coach Alban Bushi for the friendly against France on 5 June 2017 and the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia one week later.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5666-alban-bushi-shpall-listen-e-u21-per-francen-dhe-estonine|title=Alban Bushi shpall listën e U21 për Francën dhe Estoninë|trans-title=Alban Bushi announces the U21 list for France and Estonia|publisher=FSHF.org|language=Albanian|date=1 June 2017|accessdate=22 June 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705233918/http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5666-alban-bushi-shpall-listen-e-u21-per-francen-dhe-estonine|archivedate=5 July 2017}} He made his competitive debut on 5 June 2017 coming on as a substitute of a 3–0 home defeat to France.{{cite news|url=http://www.syri.net/sport/70262/video-franca-mposht-me-lehtesi-ne-miqesore-shpresat-kuqezi/|title=VIDEO / Franca mposht me lehtësi në miqësore Shpresat kuqezi|trans-title=VIDEO / France easily defeats in friendly the redandblack hopes|publisher=Syri.net|date=5 June 2017|accessdate=22 June 2017}}

Hebaj scored his first goals for under-21 side in November 2018 in a double friendly against Malta; he scored and won a penalty kick in the first match at Selman Stërmasi Stadium on 16th which was won 2–0,{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/video-zgjohet-shqiperia-e-bushit-shkelqejne-yjet-e-partizanit/|title=VIDEO – "Zgjohet" Shqipëria e Bushit, shkëlqejnë "yjet" e Partizanit|trans-title=Video – Bushi's Albania “awaken”, Partizani's “stars” shines|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=16 November 2018|accessdate=17 November 2018}} while three days later scored a brace at Loro Boriçi Stadium in another Albania win.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/video-hebaj-merr-per-dore-shqiperine-u21-triumf-me-permbysje/|title=VIDEO – Hebaj "merr për dore" Shqipërinë U21, triumf me përmbysje|trans-title=Hebaj takes Albania by hand, a comeback triumph|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=19 November 2018|accessdate=19 November 2018}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|EuropeIncluding continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League !colspan="2"\|Total
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+Club statistics
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3" valign="center"\| Vllaznia Shkodër	2015–16	rowspan="2"\| Kategoria Superiore	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
\|2016–17	23	4	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	25	4
colspan="2" valign="center"\|Total !23\|\|4\|\|3\|\|0\|\|colspan="2"\|—\|\|26\|\|4
rowspan="1" valign="center"\| →Vllaznia B (loan)	2016–17	rowspan="1"\| Kategoria e Dytë	3	2	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	3	2
rowspan="2" valign="center"\| Domžale	2017–18	rowspan="2"\| Slovenian PrvaLiga	14	4	1	1	colspan="2"\|—	15	5
2017–18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
→Partizani Tirana (loan)	2018–19	rowspan="1"\| Kategoria Superiore	21	4	4	4	colspan="2"\|—	25	8
Vorskla Poltava	2019–20	Ukrainian Premier League	5	0	colspan="2"\|–	colspan="2"\|—	5	0
rowspan="2"\|Teuta Durrës	2019–20	rowspan="2"\|Kategoria Superiore	15	2	6	0	colspan="2"\|—	21	2
2020–21	11	1	2	2	2	1	15	4
rowspan="2"\| Shkëndija	2020–21	rowspan="2"\|Macedonian First League	15	4	0	0	2	0	17	4
2021–22	11	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
rowspan="2"\|Teuta Durrës	2021–22	rowspan="2"\| Kategoria Superiore	20	10	4	3	colspan="2"\|—	24	13
2022–23	15	1	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	17	2
Andijon	2023	Uzbekistan Super League	20	12	3	2	colspan="2"\|—	23	14
colspan="3"\|Career total !170	42	25	13	6	1	201	56