Mural proposed for Vedat Muriqi in Prizren

Vedat Muriqi is by far the Kosovo national football team’s top scorer and has been one of its most important players for a decade.

Muriqi is from Prizren and began his career at the city’s iconic club, Liria. 

And soon, the 31-year-old’s image may also appear in a mural in the old city.

A proposal for this has already been submitted. The Prizren Regional Football Association (LRFP) has proposed to the Municipality of Prizren, specifically the Directorate for Culture, Youth and Sport, that a mural be created in Muriqi’s honor.

According to the LRFP’s announcement, the initiative came from the association’s president, Mirsad Çollaku.

Regional associations are constituent members of the Football Federation of Kosovo.

The LRFP wrote that Muriqi is Kosovo’s captain. In fact, the powerful striker is one of the captains, while Amir Rrahmani remains the first-choice captain.

“This proposal aims to place a public work of art in the heart of the city, as a symbol of local pride and an inspiration for younger generations. Vedat Muriqi, born in Prizren, is the finest example of success achieved through dedication, discipline and hard work. He has reached the heights of international football, proudly wearing Kosovo’s jersey and representing his city with pride,” reads the statement issued on Monday by the Prizren Regional Football Association.

After showing his potential at Liria, Muriqi embarked on an impressive career journey. He then played for Teuta of Durrës and Besa of Kavajë in Albania. He continued in Turkey with teams such as Giresunspor, Gençlerbirligi, Rizespor and Fenerbahçe. He had a not very successful spell at Lazio in Italy, and since the beginning of 2022 he has played for Mallorca in Spain’s La Liga.

He played for Kosovo U21 and Albania U21, and since 2016 has been a very important member of Kosovo’s senior team. He now has 32 goals in 64 matches and continues to score.

“A mural for Vedat is not only an honor for him as an individual, but a powerful message to all our young people that dreams are attainable. He is an exceptional role model who deserves to be part of Prizren’s cultural landscape,” the Prizren Regional Association wrote.

The organization has indicated that no suitable location has yet been chosen for Muriqi’s mural. It hopes it will be in the city center.

Muriqi has played 118 matches, scored 39 goals and provided 10 assists in La Liga. In Turkey’s Super Lig, he has played 112 matches, scored 37 goals and made 14 appearances. In Serie A, he played 38 matches.

He reached his peak at Mallorca, but has made and continues to make the people of Prizren proud with his major contribution to Kosovo.