In recent years, Albania has not brought many new names to the national team, as the group now seems consolidated and the space for new arrivals has become increasingly scarce.

However, the analysis of debutants shows that after the 2016 European Championship, the average age of footballers who have worn the red and black jersey for the first time has decreased significantly. From Ramen Çepele and Mario Mitaj, who entered history as among the youngest, to players who have waited until their late 20s to get their first chance, the panorama shows a National Team that has changed the way it approaches footballers, but that still faces the question of how many of these innovations manage to turn into sustainable alternatives.

POST-EUROPEAN PERIOD - If you look at the Albanian National Team roster in recent years, the first impression is that of a group that has already consolidated. After the major changes brought about by the period after EURO 2016, when a significant part of the generation that went to France gradually began to leave the scene, recent years have not brought the same rhythm of arrivals. New names are not numerous and, in many cases, coaches have relied on footballers who have already created considerable experience with the red and black jersey, which has also brought controversy about the lists published over the years, whenever the red and blacks had matches. This situation naturally raises a question about the future of the National Team, whether sufficient space is being given to the new generation or Albania is increasingly postponing the moment of renewal. The answer becomes more interesting when the analysis does not stop only at the number of debutants, but goes to the age at which they received the invitation to the A team for the first time. From EURO 2016 to date, the list obtained by "eufusball" shows 77 footballers who have debuted with the National Team. Their average age is around 23 years and six months, while for players who debuted before this period the average is around 25 years and four months. The difference of almost two years shows that, despite the lack of numerous arrivals in recent years, Albania in the decade after the European Championship in France has been more willing to give a chance to footballers at a younger age. This is a detail that somewhat changes the perception of the renewal process. At first glance, the National Team may seem to have become more closed and that new names are appearing less and less frequently, but when the age of debut is taken into account, statistics show that the door for talent has opened earlier than in previous periods.

YOUNGEST DEBUTTERS - The strongest example of this trend is undoubtedly that of Ramën Çepele and Mario Mitaj. Both footballers got their chance with the National Team at the age of 17 and immediately positioned themselves at the top of the historical classification of the youngest debutants. Çepele debuted at the age of 17 years, 7 months and 21 days, while Mitaj only four days later, at the age of 17 years, 7 months and 25 days. In third place in the historical classification is Qemal Vogli, who debuted at the age of 17 years, 7 months and 26 days. Behind them are Iljaz Çeço and Blendi Nallbani. The fact that two of the three youngest debutants in the history of the National Team belong to the recent period is a strong indicator of the change in the approach to talents. If in previous generations a young player often had to go through several stages before getting a chance in the A team, today a footballer can get closer much faster, if his level convinces the technical staff. Çepele and Mitaj are not the only cases. This period also includes Armando Broja, who debuted before turning 19, Marash Kumbulla, who got his first chance at the age of 19, as well as a number of other footballers who are approaching their early 20s. This shows that in the last decade Albania has had a real tendency to test younger players. However, this does not mean that the National Team has become a team that relies only on talent.

OLDEST DEBUTTERS - On the other side of the classification are footballers who have waited a very long time to get their first chance with the red and black jersey. The history of Albania also has extreme cases from the first decades, where some players have debuted over the age of 40, while in the modern era one of the most special examples is Orges Shehi, who debuted at the age of 33 years, 1 month and 28 days. Even after EURO 2016 there have been cases of late debuts. Klaus Gjasula, for example, wore the national team jersey for the first time at the age of 29 years, 8 months and 24 days. In this area of ​​the classification there are also other players who have passed the age of 27 or 28 before receiving their first invitation. These cases show that there is no single formula for reaching the national team. A player may be considered ready at the age of 17 or 18, while another may need a large part of his career to reach the level required in the national team. At this point, the coach also has an important role. The national team is not an academy where the main goal is the development of young players, as the result is always the criterion on which the work of the technical staff is judged. In an elimination match, especially against a strong opponent, a coach may choose the experience of a 27-year-old player over the potential of an 18-year-old, even if the latter is seen as an investment for the future.

CONTINUITY IN THE NATIONAL TEAM - In this analysis, however, an important distinction must be made. The fact that after EURO 2016 77 players have debuted does not mean that Albania has created 77 new alternatives for the future or even for the period when they played. Some of them have only received one opportunity, others have had a limited number of appearances, while only a part have managed to become an important part of the team. This is perhaps the biggest challenge of Albanian football. It is not enough for a player to debut at the age of 18 or 19, but what matters is whether he manages to develop, play regularly in the club and become a sustainable alternative for the National Team. In this regard, the influx of recent years should be seen not only as a list of debutants, but as a process that requires continuity. Clubs and academies have their share of responsibility, while the National Team must identify as early as possible the players who have the potential to represent Albania for many years.

The 10 Youngest National Team Debutants

#	player	Age at debut	debut
1	Ramen Çepele	17 years, 7 months, 21 days	November 11, 2020
2	Mario Myths	17 years, 7 months, 25 days	March 31, 2021
3	Qemal Vogli	17 years, 7 months, 26 days	25 May 1947
4	Iljaz Ceco	17 years, 9 months, 8 days	October 11, 1964
5	Blendi Nallbani	17 years, 10 months, 27 days	April 26, 1989
6	Kastriot Peqini	17 years, 11 months, 10 days	January 29, 1992
7	Kreshnik Chipi	18 years, 3 months, 14 days	October 19, 1980
8	Bledar Kola	18 years, 4 months, 18 days	December 19, 1990
9	Haxhi Ballgjini	18 years, 4 months, 19 days	November 3, 1976
10	Anesti Qendro	18 years, 5 months, 3 days	26 May 1992

 

The 10 Oldest National Team Debutants

#	player	Age at debut	debut
1	Leo Seiti	76 years, 5 months, 4 days	October 14, 1981
2	Mehmet Xhafa	72 years, 5 months, 21 days	21 June 1972
3	Milan Vaso	68 years, 5 months, 6 days	October 10, 1973
4	Naim Allaj	68 years, 5 months, 6 days	October 10, 1973
5	Rudi's Union	60 years, 6 months, 29 days	November 24, 1965
6	Enver Ibershimi	58 years, 6 months, 8 days	October 30, 1963
7	Fiqiri Duro	58 years, 1 months, 25 days	16 June 1963
8	Dhimitraq Gjyli	53 years, 0 months, 13 days	1 May 1958
9	Abdullah Duma	53 years, 0 months, 13 days	1 May 1958
10	Dhimiter Qoshja	52 years, 5 months, 4 days	September 15, 1957