Mirlind Daku

Written by Ermal Kuka for Panorama:

The switch of Mirlind Daku from Kosovo to Albania was unexpected, as he had been part of the Kosovan national side for a couple of years, although he had played only friendly matches there. However, he still represents Kosovo proudly, even with the Albanian jersey on or off, as showcased from his goal celebration in the match against Poland in September 2023. When he took the shirt off, everybody could see the right shoulder tattoo, which reads “Katana 138” and a foot stepping on a border stone. That is the nickname of a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander, and it depicts the moment during the war in 1999 when the border between Albania and Kosovo was opened. Controversy is to be expected if he does the same celebration during the Euros.