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The recent Albanian national team formation has brought back to light a well-known phenomenon in the history of red-and-black football: footballers born or raised abroad who choose to represent Albania. The call-up of AEK defender Stavro Pilo by coach Silvinjo is the latest example of this reality, which is closely linked to the history of emigration and Albanian sporting identity.
The case of Bujar Pllanë, who has been part of the Kosovo youth national team, but has recently decided to wear the red and black jersey, is also in the same line.
Stavro Pilo, 25, born in Rhodes to Albanian parents, becomes the seventh Greek-born footballer to represent Albania at the top level. This trend places Albania among the countries with the highest number of players from the diaspora, after Kosovo and Switzerland.
The list of Greek-born footballers who have contributed to the national team includes names like Thomas Strakosha, Mario Mitaj and Enea Mihaj, who continue to be active members of the team. Meanwhile, players like Stivian Janku and Ardit Toli have made their contribution in various matches, representing a generation that grew up outside Albania, but is connected to it through sporting choice.
In the history of the national team, there is also a special case, that of Giacomo Poseli. Born in Thessaloniki in 1921 to a family of Italian origin, he remains the only footballer to have played for Albania without having Albanian origins.
His family moved to Vlora when he was 11 years old, where he began his football career. As a goalkeeper for Flamurtari, Poseli attracted attention and in 1946 he received Albanian citizenship. He made his debut on 13 October 1946 in a 1-0 win over Romania, at a time when Albanian football was being rebuilt after World War II.
His case is considered an early symbol of the interweaving of cultures in Albanian sports.
In addition to players choosing Albania, there are also opposite cases. Footballers such as Sotir Nini, Panajot Kone, Fiorin Durmishaj and Andrea Ndoj have decided to represent Greece, despite having Albanian connections. Another example is Kristos Tzolis, whose family origins are from Dhrovjani, Vlorë, who has also chosen the Greek national team.
These cases show that selecting a national team is often a personal decision, influenced by various factors such as identity, sporting opportunities, career development and the context in which the players were raised.
Another name that has expressed interest in the Albanian National Team is Tomas Guidara. The Arbëresh defender, born and raised in Argentina, stated in an interview for "Panorama Sport" that he wants to play for Albania.
According to him, getting to know Arbëresh roots has increased interest in ancestry and connection to the land of ancestors, making Albania a real option for the future.
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