Shaqir Tafa
{{short description|Albanian professional footballer (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Shaqir Tafa
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|11|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = Fondi, Italy
| height = 1.91 m
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Forlì
| clubnumber = 4
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Annonese
| youthyears2 = 2010–2014
| youthclubs2 = Liventina
| youthyears3 = 2014–2017
| youthclubs3 = Palermo
| years1 = 2017–2018
| clubs1 = Palermo
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2017–2018
| clubs2 = → Monopoli (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = Cuneo
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2019–2020
| clubs4 = Sicula Leonzio
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2020
| clubs5 = Tirana
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2021–2022
| clubs6 = Piacenza
| caps6 = 24
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2022
| clubs7 = Recanatese
| caps7 = 6
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2023
| clubs8 = Ravenna
| caps8 = 13
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023–
| clubs9 = Forlì
| caps9 = 14
| goals9 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Albania U-20
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam2 = Albania U-21
| nationalcaps2 = 23
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = 20 December 2023
| nationalteam-update = 15 October 2019
}}
Shaqir Ejup Tafa (born 14 November 1998) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Italian Serie D club Forlì.
Early life
Tafa was born in Fondi, province of Latina, Lazio from Albanian parents originally from Luz i Vogël, Kavajë which had emigrated in Italy in 1994. He was 4th family's child and the first son after three daughters.{{cite news|url=http://www.mondoprimavera.com/2016/09/22/palermo-il-giovane-tafa-si-racconta/|title=Palermo, il giovane Tafa si racconta|trans-title=Palermo, the youngster Tafa confesses|publisher=Mondo Primavera|language=Italian|date=22 September 2016|accessdate=24 December 2014}} Aged 2, he along with his parents moved to Portogruaro in Veneto and then to Belfiore near Venezia. He started his footballing career there by playing as a forward at Annonese for three years.{{cite news|url=http://asport.al/deshirat-dhe-endrrat-e-shaqir-tafes-talentit-shqiptar-te-palermo-s/|title=Dëshirat dhe ëndrrat e Shaqir Tafës, talentit shqiptar të Palermo-s|trans-title=Wishes and dreams of Shaqir Tafa, albanian talent of Palermo|publisher=aSport.al|language=Albanian|date=21 September 2016|accessdate=24 December 2014}}
Tafa switched position to centre-back following his transfer to Liventina. He enjoyed success there, winning Veneto's national title in 2013. After several trials in 2014, he was brought in by Palermo on initially on loan. In the following years Tafa progressed through Palermo's youth teams, and was notably voted as Palermo primavera's best player of the year, receiving 47% of total votes.{{cite news|url=https://raccontirosanero.it/miglior-rosanero-dellanno-shaqir-tafa-vince-sondaggio-la-categoria-primavera/|title="Miglior rosanero dell'anno": Shaqir Tafa vince il sondaggio per la categoria Primavera|trans-title="Best rosanero of the year": Shaqir Tafa wins the poll for the Primavera category|accessdate=12 September 2017|publisher=RaccontiRosanero.it|date=29 May 2017|language=Italian}} He was called for the first time at senior squad in 2017.
Club career
=Monopoli (loan)=
On 5 August 2017 Tafa was loaned out to Serie C side Monopoli until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=http://palermocalcio.it/it/1718/news/tafa-e-toscano-ceduti-in-prestito-34455|title=Tafa e Toscano Ceduti in Prestito|date=5 August 2017|accessdate=15 August 2017|publisher=Palermo|language=Italian}} Under management of Massimiliano Tangorra Tafa was considered as 6th center-defense choice behind most used trio formed by team's captain Luca Ricci, Mattia Bei and Michele Ferrara (including also Mario Mercadante which was often used as a center-back in place of Ferrara) and other substituters Loris Bacchetti and Nicola Lanzolla. Consequently, Tafa was on the bench for 13 first matches.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/shaqir-tafa/465395/matches/|title=Shaqir Tafa list of matches|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=23 December 2017}} He made his debut in the penultimate matchday of the year on 23 December against Cosenza playing as a starter along Ricci and Mercadante, thus benching Ferrara whereas Bei moved as a midfielder; Tafa was substituted off in the 73rd minute as the match ended in a 2–0 loss for Monopoli which remained with ten men since the 68th minute.{{cite web|url=https://www.flashscore.com/match/xSIIZXb4/#match-summary|title=COS 2-0 MON / Cosenza - Monopoli / Match Summary|publisher=Flashscore|accessdate=23 December 2017}}
=Cuneo=
On 7 August 2018, he moved on a permanent basis to the Serie C club Cuneo.{{cite web|publisher=Cuneo|url=http://www.cuneocalcio.it/news/cuneo-calcio/3364-ingaggiati-lorenzo-santarelli-e-shaqir-tafa.html?eprivacy=1|title=Ingaggiati Lorenzo Santarelli e Shaqir Tafa|language=Italian|date=7 August 2018}}
=Sicula Leonzio=
=Piacenza=
After a three-months spell with Albanian club Tirana where he did not appear for the senior squad and was released in November 2020, on 2 February 2021 he returned to Italy and signed with Piacenza.{{cite web|publisher=Piacenza|url=https://www.piacenzacalcio.it/tesseramento-tafa/|title=TESSERAMENTO DI SHAQIR TAFA|date=2 February 2021|language=it}}
=Recanatese=
=Ravenna=
International career
= Early stages: Italy & Albania U19 =
Early in 2013 Tafa had a gathering stage with Italy national under-17 football team, from where he was scouted by Paolo Tramezzani the Albania national football team assistant coach of Gianni De Biasi. Then in January 2016 he received a call up at Albania national under-19 football team by coach Arjan Bellaj for a gathering stage in Verona, Italy.[http://www.ilovepalermocalcio.com/primavera-prima-convocazione-nellalbania-u19-per-il-difensore-rosanero-tafa-foto/ Primavera: prima convocazione nell’Albania U19 per il difensore rosanero Tafa (FOTO)] Ilovepalermocalcio
= Albania U21 =
Tafa received his first international call up to Albania national under-21 football team by coach Redi Jupi for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification closing match against Israel U21 on 10 October 2016.[http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/fshf-skandal-shpresat-fshihet-lista-e-kombetares-u-21/ FSHF skandal me Shpresat, fshihet lista e Kombëtares U-21] Panorama Sport He didn't feature in the game as he wasn't included in the final 18-man squad.
He was called up by new coach Alban Bushi for a double Friendly matches against Moldova U21 on 25 & 27 March 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kombetarja-u-21-pak-risi-ne-miqesoret-ndaj-moldavise/|title=Kombëtarja U-21, pak risi në miqësoret ndaj Moldavisë|trans-title=Under-21 national team, less innovation against Moldova|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=18 March 2017|accessdate=3 January 2018}} He debuted for Albania U21 in the second match against Moldova U21 on 27 March playing as a starter to help his side to take a 2–0 victory.{{cite news|title=Il baby rosa Tafa in campo dal 1' minuto nell'amichevole Albania-Moldavia|url=http://www.stadionews.it/primavera-palermo-shaqir-tafa-u21-nazionale-albania-moldavia/|accessdate=12 September 2017|issue=news sul Palermo calcio|publisher=Stadionews24|date=27 March 2017|language=Italian}}
Since he had not debuted yet for Albania in international competitive matches, in April 2017 Tafa was asked again by Italy for their national under-19 team but Tafa answered indirectly to have refused their invitation by posting on social media Facebook a picture while singing the national anthem of Albania during a March's match against Moldova U21.{{cite news|title=E kërkoi Italia, shqiptari përgjigjet në një mënyrë fantastike në Facebook (FOTO)|url=http://lajmi.net/e-kerkoi-italia-shqiptari-pergjigjet-ne-nje-menyre-fantastike-ne-facebook-foto/|accessdate=12 September 2017|publisher=Lajmi.net|date=10 April 2017|language=Albanian}}
Tafa was called up by coach Alban Bushi for the Friendly match against France U21 on 5 June 2017 and the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia U21 on 12 June 2017.{{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=17 December 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 for Albania U21 against Estonia U21 on 12 June 2017 under coach Alban Bushi playing the full 90-minutes match to help his side to take a goalless draw.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/06/12/europe/uefa-u21-championship/albania-under-21/estonia-under-21/2430177/|title=Albania U21 vs. Estonia U21 - 12 June 2017|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=17 December 2017}} He received his first call up for the Albania under-20 side by same coach of the under-21 team Alban Bushi for the friendly match against Georgia 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|trans-title=U-21, Bushi at the press conference|publisher=FSHF.org|date=6 November 2017|accessdate=16 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 by playing as a starter, where he was granted as team captain, to play until 55th minute when he was substituted off for Rei Nuriu with score at 1–0 and the entire match finished in an eventual 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|trans-title=U-20 loses friendly match in Georgia|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}}
Style of play
Tafa mainly operates as a centre-back, but he can play also as a right back and defensive midfielder.{{cite news|url=http://www.vipsport.al/2017/12/e-krahasojne-me-barzajlin-mbrojtesi-shqiptar-frymezohem-nga-skriniar/|title=E krahasojnë me Barzajlin, mbrojtësi shqiptar: Frymëzohem nga Skriniar|trans-title=Compared to Barzagli, the Albanian defender: I am inspired by Skriniar|publisher=VIP Sport|language=Albanian|date=28 December 2017|accessdate=28 December 2017}} He is nicknamed Shaq alike former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal due to his height. He has been compared to 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Andrea Barzagli due to his powerful physical build and power. Tafa himself has cited his role model the Slovakian defender Milan Škriniar.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 29 September 2021}} {{Soccerway|shaqir-tafa/465395|accessdate=16 November 2017}}
| 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"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Monopoli (loan)
|4 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Cuneo
|Serie C |10 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance(s) in Relegation Playoffs|name=rel}} | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Sicula Leonzio
|Serie C |12 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=rel}} | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Piacenza
|Serie C |13 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 13 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22
|Serie C |3 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 2
|1 | colspan="2" |— | 5 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 2 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{UEFA player|250104988}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170817040414/http://www.legaseriea.it/en/players/shaqir-tafa/P-288 Shaqir Tafa] at Serie A TIM
- {{WorldFootball.net|shaqir-tafa}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20170815071321/http://www.calcio.com/profilo_giocatori/shaqir-tafa/ archive])
- {{FSHF|315640}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-sports}}
{{succession box|title=Albania U20 captain|before=Aldo Teqja|years=2017–|after=Incumbent}}
{{S-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tafa, Shaqir}}
Category:Footballers from the Province of Latina
Category:Italian people of Albanian descent
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:21st-century Albanian sportsmen
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:SS Monopoli 1966 players
Category:AC Cuneo 1905 players
Category:SS Leonzio 1909 players
Category:Piacenza Calcio 1919 players
Category:US Recanatese players
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Albania men's youth international footballers