The third year the same award has been given, but now it has gone viral: Artist Sali Shkupolli explains how the ‘Footballer of the Year’ award was made

A remarkably successful year in Kosovo football is drawing to a close, with many achievements by both the Kosovo national team and our clubs on the international stage.

The Football Federation of Kosovo has presented its ‘Laureates of the Year’ awards, with Arb Manaj receiving the main prize as Kosovo’s footballer of the year.

But what has become a topic of discussion in our country over the past 48 hours is the award Manaj received, which is the third consecutive year it has been given to the best footballer in the Super League.

Lumbardh Dellova received this award earlier, while last year it went to Lindon Emërllahu.

The work is not titled the ‘Golden Ball’. Telegrafi contacted the FFK, who said that this work and the other awards were created by artist Sali Shkupolli.

Telegrafi also contacted the artist, who provided details about the awards he made.

“This work is not a decorative ‘lacquered’ piece or an ordinary ornamental object, but an in-depth study of material and process. It was made with reinforced polyester and marble dust to create solidity and a durable texture, while the copper layers contribute to forming a patina that interacts dynamically with the surface and the light.”

“This combination of materials generates an ongoing dialogue between metallic warmth and solid mass, aiming not only for visual effect, but also for reflection on materiality, time and the creative process. The worked surface preserves and displays the traces of the artist’s hand, a deliberate conceptual and technical choice that emphasizes the work’s authenticity.”

“The work is not titled ‘Golden Ball’, since it does not aim to imitate or directly refer to existing international awards. It was conceived as the Footballer of the Year award, with an independent artistic and symbolic identity. Authentically made in Kosovo, this work contains motifs and sensibilities directly connected to our country’s cultural and sporting context.”

“It is not an imported copy or an object bought from abroad, but an original creation that represents the recognition of sporting achievements through the language of contemporary local art. This ball has now become traditional, turning into a distinctive symbol of honour for the best footballer of the year,” said the creator of the awards, Sali Shkupolli. /Telegrafi/