Shkëndija centre-back Anes Melici offered chance to play for Albania
The 20-year-old Shkëndija defender has been offered a place in Albania's senior national team; he has youth appearances for North Macedonia but no senior caps.
Anes Melici, a 20-year-old centre-back who is a regular starter for KF Shkëndija and a member of North Macedonia's under-21 squad, has received an approach from the Football Federation of Albania asking him to represent Albania at senior level.
Decision rests with the player
Born in Skopje and developed through Shkëndija's youth system, Melici has been a fixture at club level and has featured for North Macedonia at youth level up to U21, but he has not yet made an appearance for the senior national team. That lack of a senior cap makes him eligible to switch allegiance under current FIFA rules and simplifies the pathway for Albania.
Club sources confirm the defender's standing in Shkëndija's starting lineup this season, while reports indicate the Football Federation of Albania formally offered him a spot with their A-team. If the offer is accepted, Melici would make the one-time nationality switch and become available for selection by Albania's senior coaches.
For now, the next step belongs to Melici. He must decide whether to remain committed to North Macedonia and await a potential senior call-up there, or to accept Albania's invitation and change his international future.
The possibility raises a familiar question for North Macedonian football: will another promising young player choose to continue his international career elsewhere?
Photo: press material from the event
