Young Istra midfielder Dukan Ahmeti shines again — scores against Dinamo after earlier goal at Hajduk
18-year-old Dukan Ahmeti scored in Istra’s 2:2 draws with Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb; his origin in Pirok near Tetovo has sparked interest from multiple national teams.
On 30.08.2026 Istra continued a remarkable start to the Croatian season by collecting another 2:2 draw against one of the country’s biggest clubs, this time Dinamo Zagreb in Pula.
That match added to a similar 2:2 result the team recorded earlier against Hajduk Split; on both occasions the scorer for Istra was the 18-year-old midfield prospect Dukan Ahmeti, who in Pula netted to make it 2:0 before the match levelled.
Background and identity questions
Although Ahmeti represents Croatia at youth level, his family roots are in the village of Pirok near Tetovo. He is also related to former North Macedonia international Agim Ibraimi, and his origin has fuelled discussion about which national team he might choose.
According to reports circulating on social media, Ahmeti could change his sporting passport. There is interest in him both from North Macedonia and Albania, but for now Croatia appears to be in the leading position regarding his international future.
On the club front, Ahmeti is a central midfielder who has already attracted attention from Italian clubs, among them AC Milan and Atalanta. Observers suggest that Agim Ibraimi could play a role in any decision — a dynamic compared by some to the negotiations that surrounded Arian Ademi in the past.
Ademi and Ibraimi are first cousins; the battle to secure Ademi’s international allegiance was widely described as a major contest on the ‘green table’ that ultimately went in favour of North Macedonia — an episode often recalled when similar cases arise.
Photo: press material from the event
