Victory’s Migjen Basha opens up on family tragedy and why he owes a lot to his late uncle
As Migjen Basha prepares for his first home Melbourne Victory start, the Albanian opens up on the family tragedy that shaped his life and why he owes so much to his late uncle.
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Each time Melbourne Victory midfielder Migjen Basha walks into his parents’ home in Lausanne, Switzerland, he’s reminded of the family tragedy that shaped his life.
A photo of his late uncle Xhavit has been mounted on the wall since his tragic death 20 years ago in the Kosovo War.
While Xhavit’s sports passion was basketball, he shaped Basha’s education during his formative years.
“I was born in Switzerland but my family is from Kosovo. We returned to Kosovo with my mum and brothers – my father wanted us to go school to learn the language,” Basha said.
“We were there for 3-4 years. Dad called us back because when the war started.
“After that we learnt that my uncle was killed in the war – ‘98 I last saw him.
“When we lost him, I was only young (12), but I understood immediately after (dad’s) reaction – we lost him for nothing.
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“It affected me. I was very close to him. Only had him (in Kosovo), my father and uncles were in Switzerland – he helped me with everything, especially school (he was a teacher).
“I say thank you to my uncle because now I speak Albanian, I read and write. When I go to Kosovo now, it’s important for me, my family. My first kid speaks Albanian.
“My father has this photo in the house, we are all close. It’s difficult. You try and remember good moments. We lost him for stupid things.”
Australian football knows better than most that multiculturalism is not black and white.
Only knowing Basha’s family tragedy can one understand the pride in representing Albania (Kosovo was only sanctioned to play in 2016), which qualified for Euro 2016.
“This was big for my family, very (proud). They remember where I’m from,” he said.
“I started with the Swiss U16 team, then I (was invited to play for) Albania. I had issue with passports, waited over three years (for clearance).
“We did well with Albania, Euro 2016 was the first time in history we qualified for the championships – I was part of this team. The best thing I did in my career.
“It was very important for our people. Everybody was happy – in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia a bit in Serbia. Australia.”
On Saturday Basha makes his home starting debut against an Albanian that etched his name into Victory folklore – Besart Berisha.
“I don’t know him personally but I know he scored (a lot) with Victory. Now it’s different, he’s at another club (Western United). At Victory there’s another Albanian (now),” Basha said.
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“When you’re on the pitch, you don’t have time to think – he’s Albanian, Italian, Australian. We both want to win and fight for our teams.
“I am sure I can not score like him. I’m a midfielder.
“Most important is the team. If you win with the team, personal (performances are secondary).
“If the team wins the championship, everyone remembers you. If you score five goals and don’t win anything, no-one remembers you.”