Albanian-origin footballer Brajan Gruda has once again made headlines in England, scoring a spectacular late winner that handed Manchester City their second consecutive defeat.
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| Brajan Gruda after scoring against Manchester City, 31/08/2025 |
Just days earlier, Gruda had already impressed with a goal and an assist in Brighton’s emphatic 6-0 League Cup win over Oxford United. His explosive start to the season is quickly turning him into one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.
Sylvinho’s Desired Star for Albania
Despite his heroics, Gruda’s name was absent once again from the latest call-up list of the Albanian national team for the September World Cup qualifier against Latvia. The omission is not due to lack of interest—quite the opposite. Both the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) and head coach Sylvinho have openly expressed their desire to see Gruda wear the red and black jersey.
Born in Germany to Albanian parents, the talented attacking midfielder remains eligible to play for either Albania or Germany. For now, he is waiting to see if Germany will extend an invitation, but his strong ties to his Albanian heritage have kept him firmly on the radar of Albanian fans, who dream of watching him represent the nation on the international stage.
A Hero for Brighton, a Dream for Albania
In Brighton’s remarkable comeback against City, James Milner equalized from the penalty spot in the 67th minute before Gruda completed the turnaround. The win gave Brighton four points from their first three Premier League matches, cementing their reputation as a fearless side ready to challenge the giants.
For Albania, however, the story goes beyond club success. Gruda embodies the type of quality and passion the national team craves as it builds toward the 2026 World Cup. His dazzling goal against Manchester City is another reminder of his immense talent—and another reason why Albanian supporters hope Sylvinho’s wish will soon come true.