Rey Manaj

Rey Manaj
Personal information
Full name Rey Aldo Manaj[1]
Date of birth (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997
Place of birth Lushnjë, Albania
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Pescara (on loan from Internazionale)
Number 9
Youth career
2008–2012 Piacenza
2012–2014 Cremonese
2013–2014 → Sampdoria (loan)
2015–2016 → Internazionale (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Cremonese 23 (2)
2016– Internazionale 4 (0)
2016– → Pescara (loan) 10 (2)
National team‡
2014 Albania U19 2 (0)
2015– Albania U21 5 (3)
2015– Albania 2 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 July 2015.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 March 2016

Rey Aldo Manaj (born 24 February 1997) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Pescara on loan from fellow Italian club Internazionale and the Albania national team.

Club career

Early career

Manaj was born in Lushnjë, Albania in 1997, and moved to Italy with his parents, where he began his football youth career at the age of 11 with Piacenza.[2] Principally he had two trials at two major academies at Italy Milan and Atalanta but didn't managed to pass at not one. When he was 11 years old in 2008 he managed to enter at Piacenza academies where he achieved a few trophies and individual ratings.[2] In 2012 this academy managed by Leonardo Garilli family was declared banckrupt in 2012 and Manaj moved to U.S. Cremonese managed by Gigi Simoni.[2]

In 2013, Cremonese loaned him to Sampdoria youths which was managed at the time by Pedone. During a training game against the first team, as soon as Manaj saw that the goalkeeper Júnior da Costa went wide, he tried to catch him by surprise with a shot from the middle of the field. The shot finished wide, but close to the goal. Pedone told Manaj "If you do this the next time I will replace you!" A few weeks later, when Genovese team faced Siena primavera, Manaj made the same effort, but this time the ball ended straight into the net. Recalling what happened in training match against the first team Sampdoria, Manaj addressed the technician Pedone saying: "Coach, so is this good?" He managed to play some games with the "Primavera" (U-19) of coach Enrico Chiesa's.[3]

Sampdoria could have purchased Manaj definitively as it was part of the loan deal with right clauses for purchase of €300.000 fee after the loan ended on 30 June 2015 but Sampdoria had a club change in ownership with Massimo Ferrero replacing former president Riccardo Garrone's family, and the purchase option expired. When Sampdoria was presented again at the table of Cremonese after 30 June, the demand of Cremonese's president, Luigi Simoni, was €700.000 for co-ownership with many other provisions and Sampdoria refused to pay that amount.[4]

Cremonese

Manaj made his Cremonese debut on 7 September 2014 at the age of 17, featuring in the last 14 minutes of the 1–2 away win against Mantova.[5] He later played his first match as a starter in a 1–0 away lose against Pordenone.[6] Manaj scored his first professional goal on 11 October during the 1–1 draw against Alessandria Calcio, became the youngest player to score a goal in this category at the age of 17 years and 7 months.[7]

Internazionale

After many speculations about his future which related him with Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Roma, etc., on 14 July 2015 Manaj was sold to Internazionale for a fee of €1 million and he signed a five-year contract.[8] Also in return, Inter loaned Cremonese two players Fabio Eguelfi and Francesco Forte as a part of the operation for Manaj's transfer to Inter.[9] Principally Manaj was included to training in the first team by the coach Roberto Mancini. He showed an impressive form, scoring two goals in two consecutive mini-preparatory matches between Inter.

2015–16 season

Manaj debuted for Inter as a substitute in place of Jeison Murillo in a friendly match against Athletic Bilbao on 6 August 2015 won by Inter 2–0.[10] He made his Serie A debut on 23 August 2015 in team's opening match of 2015–16 season, replacing Brozović in the 85th minute of the 1–0 home win against Atalanta.[11] On 15 December, Manaj started for the first time during the Coppa Italia encounter against Cagliari, playing full-90 minutes and providing the assist of the first goal scored by Palacio in an eventual 3–0 win.[12]

On 2 March 2016, in the returning leg of Coppa Italia's semi-final against Juventus at San Siro, Manaj entered during the extra time as the match subsequently went into the penalty shootouts; he scored his penalty shootout attempt, but Inter lost 3–5 and eventually was eliminated from the competition.[13][14] He finished his first season with Inter by making six appearances between league and cup, as he meanwhile contributed in the reserve team's success in Coppa Italia Primavera.[15] On 24 June 2016, Inter and Cremonese reached the deal to terminate the co-ownership for another €500.000, making Inter was the sole employer of Manaj in the football field.[16]

Loan to Pescara

On 11 July 2016, Manaj was sent on loan at fellow Serie A side Pescara along with Cristiano Biraghi as part of the transfer of Gianluca Caprari to Inter in 2017.[17] He was presented on the same, where he has handed the squad number 9, quoting: "I want to show all me qualities".[18][19]

Manaj made his Pescara debut on 21 August in the opening league match of the season against Napoli, appearing as a second-half substitute for Ledian Memushaj in the 2–2 draw,[20] and scored his first top-flight goal one week later against Sassuolo, again appearing as a substitute, as the match finished in a 2–1 away loss.[21]

International career

Youth teams

Manaj received his first international call-up in the Albania under-19 team by the coach Altin Lala to participate in the qualifiers of 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[22] He made his debut in the opening match against Denmark on 12 November 2014, playing as a starter in a 1–0 loss where he substituted off in the 60th minute for Esad Morina.[23] In the next match against Portugal he remained on the bench for the entire game but however he managed to play as a starter in the closing match against Wales U19 on 17 November 2014 and substituted off for Fabian Lokaj in the 62nd minute where the match finished in the 2–1 loss.[24] Albania U19 were eliminated from competition losing all 3 matches with total of goals collected 2–7, where all two goals were scored by Esad Morina of FC Schalke 04 youth.[25]

Manaj was called up for the first time to the under-21 squad by the coach Skënder Gega for the opening 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match against Liechtenstein on 28 March 2015.[26] He managed to score in his debut for the during the match, coming on as a substitute at half-time in place of Jurgen Vatnikaj to score in the 52nd minute to sign the Albania U21's 0–2 away victory.[27] Manaj was called up by a new appointed coach, Redi Jupi, for the next qualifying matches against Israel and Portugal on 3 and 8 September 2015.[28] He played as a starter on 3 September 2015 against Israel and was substituted off in the first-half 29th minute with Albion Avdijaj due to physique problems.[29]

Senior side

Manaj's dream was that one day he can play for Albania.[30] Manaj scored after 12 seconds with a first touch from his debut as a substitute for Albania against Kosovo.[31] He later dedicated his goal to his family.[32] De Biasi stated that Manaj can play for Albania in Euro 2016,[33] but however, he was not called up in the provisional 27-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad.[34][35]

Following Euro 2016, Manaj was called up for the friendly against Morocco and the opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Macedonia on 31 August and 5 September.[36]

Style of play

A competent striker, Manaj knows how to show his values with both feet and to become dangerous, even with headers. He shows his mastery of technique with strong shots from a distance and has perfected his free kicks. The only limitation at the moment is his rebellious character, which is often beyond contention with coaches, leading him to protest to the referees and be punished with a yellow card.[3] Roberto Mancini described Manaj as great talent, similar to Mario Balotelli and is also called "new Ibrahimović".[37][38]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 August 2016[39][40][41][42]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cremonese 2014–15 Lega Pro 2324[lower-alpha 1]0—272
Total 23240—272
Internazionale 2015–16 Serie A 4020—60
Total 4020—60
Pescara 2016–17 Serie A 2100—21
Total 3200—32
Career total 3046000364
  1. ↑ Three appearances in 2014–15 Coppa Italia and one appearance in 2014–15 Coppa Italia Lega Pro

International

As of 16 November 2015[42][43]
Albania national team
YearAppsGoals
201521
201610
Total31

International goals

As of match played 16 November 2015. Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Manaj goal.[43]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 13 November 2015 Pristina City Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo 1  Kosovo 1–0 2–2 Friendly

References

  1. ↑ Alfred Lleshi (21 December 2015). "Flet babai i Manajt: Rey, qysh fëmijë ëndërronte për Interin" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Profil: Nga Lushnja në Milano, historia e futbollistit Rey Manaj" (in Albanian). Gazeta Mapo. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 ""Goal.com" zbulon Rey Manajn" (in Albanian). Sport.al. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Rej Manaj mund të ishte i Sampdorias për 300 mijë euro" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "Mantova vs. Cremonese 1 – 2". Soccerway. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Pordenone vs. Cremonese 1 – 0". Soccerway. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Cremonese vs. Alessandria 1 – 1". Soccerway. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Zyrtare, Manaj firmos me Interin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Bianchi, Eguelfi and Forte in grigiorosso" (in Italian). U.S. Cremonese. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "Rey Manaj debuton me Interin ne fitoren 2-0 ndaj Bilbaos" (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  11. ↑ Gabriele Radaelli (23 August 2015). "Inter-Atalanta: 1 a 0 al fischio finale. Gran gol di Jovetic!" (in Italian). Inter-News.it. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Inter 3-0 Cagliari: Mancini's men stroll to Coppa Italia win". Goal.com. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  13. ↑ "Inter overturn 3-0 deficit but lose Coppa Italia shootout to Juventus". The Guardian. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Coppa: Juve penalties break Inter hearts". Football Italia. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Coppa Italia Primavera, Inter-Juve 2-1: nerazzurri campioni con Manaj e Zonta" (in Italian). Gazzetta.it. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "Tesserati Belingheri, Gemiti e Salviato". U.S. Cremonese. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Inter send Manaj to Pescara". Football Italia. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  18. ↑ "Manaj prezantohet te Pescara. Fjalët e para të sulmuesit për ekipin e ri". Football Italia. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  19. ↑ "Pescara, preso Manaj: arriva in prestito secco dall'Inter". Gazzetta.it. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "Pescara 2 - 2 Napoli". Football Italia. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Sassuolo 2 - 1 Pescara". Football Italia. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "Barazon Kombëtarja, Lala: Kualifikohemi në Europian" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "Denmark U19 vs. Albania U19". Soccerway. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  24. ↑ "Wales U19 vs. Albania U19". Soccerway. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  26. ↑ "Shpresat nisi kualikimet kundër Lihtenshtajnit" (in Albanian). Asport.al. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "U21, Shqipëria thyen 2-0 Lihtenshtejnin, vendosin golat e Latifit dhe Rei Manajt" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  28. ↑ "Grumbullohet kombetarja U-21" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Shpresat barazojnë me 10 lojtarë ndaj Izraelit, Jupi: I kënaqur me reagimin e skuadrës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  30. ↑ "Talenti i Sampdorias: Ëndërra ime të luaj me Shqipërinë". ASport.al (in Albanian). 8 January 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  31. ↑ "Mediat italiane për Manajn: Goli rekord dhe historia e rrallë". Gazeta Tema (in Albanian). 13 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  32. ↑ "Manaj ia dedikon golin familjes" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  33. ↑ "De Biasi: Manaj në Evropian, sepse ai e do këtë vend". Fax.al (in Albanian). 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  34. ↑ Fatjon Pandovski (21 May 2016). "De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi". UEFA.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Fatjon Pandovski (22 May 2016). "No place for Hamdi Salihi in Albania's preliminary Euro 2016 squad". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "Xhani De Biazi publikon listën, risitë: Hyka, Manaj dhe Strakosha" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  37. ↑ "Befason Mancini, flet për rastin Manaj-De Biasi" (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  38. ↑ Chris Beattie (14 July 2015). "Rey Manaj: Inter Milan told they've signed 'new Ibrahimovic'". Tribal Football. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  39. ↑ "Albania - R. Manaj - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  40. ↑ "Football : Rey Manaj". Football Database. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  41. ↑ "Rey Manaj Player Profile". ESPN FC. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  42. 1 2 Rey Manaj at National-Football-Teams.com
  43. 1 2 "Rey Manaj - national football team player". EU-Football.info. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.

External links

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