Home / Sports / From Srebrenica's pain to World Cup glory: Esmir's journey
From Srebrenica's pain to World Cup glory: Esmir's journey
28 Jun
Summary
- Bajraktarević's family fled Srebrenica genocide; relatives died.
- He switched allegiance from USA to Bosnia for his heritage.
- He will face his birth country, the USA, in World Cup knockout.
Esmir Bajraktarević, born in Appleton, Wisconsin, carries the weight of his family's past as he prepares to face the United States in a World Cup knockout game. His parents, survivors of the Srebrenica genocide, escaped to the U.S., a journey marked by profound loss, with four uncles and his grandfather killed.
Bajraktarević, whose family spoke Bosnian at home, grew up embracing both his heritage and an American upbringing. He rose through the youth soccer ranks, eventually playing for U.S. youth national teams before making a FIFA one-time switch to represent Bosnia in July 2024.
His decision was fueled by a deep connection to his ancestral homeland and the memory of his family's suffering. The player, once dubbed 'Milwaukee Messi,' will now represent Bosnia on soccer's grandest stage, a poignant moment for his family and country.
His transfer to Dutch club PSV in January 2025 for up to $6 million marked a significant career milestone. He has since scored his first international goal for Bosnia and played a crucial role in their World Cup qualification.
For survivors like Emir Suljagić, head of the Srebrenica Memorial Center, Bajraktarević's success is deeply symbolic, representing a victory over the tragedies of the past and a testament to the enduring power of life and hope.
