Rey Aldo Manaj (Albanian: Rei Manaj; born 24 February 1997) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Süper Lig club Sivasspor and the Albania national team.

Rey Manaj
Manaj with Pescara in August 2016
Personal information
Full name Rey Aldo Manaj[1]
Date of birth (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Lushnjë, Albania
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Sivasspor
Number 9
Youth career
2008–2012 Piacenza
2012–2014 Cremonese
2013–2014Sampdoria (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Cremonese 22 (2)
2015–2018 Inter Milan 4 (0)
2016–2017Pescara (loan) 12 (2)
2017Pisa (loan) 17 (2)
2017–2018Granada (loan) 19 (1)
2018–2020 Albacete 37 (9)
2020–2021 Barcelona B 27 (13)
2020–2022 Barcelona 0 (0)
2021–2022Spezia (loan) 30 (5)
2022–2023 Watford 6 (1)
2023– Sivasspor 40 (22)
International career
2014 Albania U19 3 (1)
2015–2019 Albania U21 9 (3)
2015– Albania 39 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Early career

edit

Manaj was born in Lushnjë, Albania in 1997, and moved to Italy with his parents at a young age, 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 either 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 bankrupt 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.[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

edit

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]

Inter Milan

edit

After many speculations about his future which related him with teams like Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Roma, on 14 July 2015 Manaj was sold to Inter Milan 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

edit

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 the sole employer of Manaj in the football field.[16]

Loan to Pescara

edit

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 my 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]

His spell at Pescara was marred by his behaviour, as he was suspended in November by coach Massimo Oddo due to lack of discipline.[22] In the press conference, Oddo said: "Manaj is out for disciplinary reasons. I'm not here to tell what has happened in the dressing room, but today something has happened that should not happen. I prefer to take a player from the youth team instead of a player who doesn't know how to behave."[23] This lead the club to cut short his loan, as Manaj made only 12 league appearances for the team, scoring twice in the process.[24]

Loan to Pisa

edit

On 18 January 2017, Inter Milan confirmed via its official website that Manaj joined Serie B side Pisa on loan until the end of 2016–17 season.[25] He joined with his compatriots Edgar Çani and former Albania international Samir Ujkani, who was the one to convince him to join the club.[26][27] He made his competitive debut three days later in the league match against Ternana, missing a penalty kick in the last minutes of the match as Pisa won 1–0 at home.[28] Despite missing the penalty, coach Gennaro Gattuso still praised his performance, saying that "missing a penalty is a thing that could happen to everyone."[29] Manaj scored his first goal on 12 March 2017 against Vicenza in the 60th minute, 4 minutes after coming on the pitch; his goal wasn't enough however, as Pisa lost 2–1 in the final moments.[30]

Loans to Granada and Albacete

edit

On 30 August 2017, Manaj joined Segunda División side Granada on a season-long loan with an option to buy.[31] He made his debut two days later against Barcelona B coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute in place of Adrián Ramos.[32]

Albacete

edit

On 1 July 2018, Manaj joined another Segunda División side Albacete on a one-year loan deal with obligation to make it permanent.[33] He enjoyed a good start of the season, scoring a penalty in his debut match after coming on as substitute to rescue his side a point in the match against Deportivo de La Coruña.[34] He got his first start of his new side on 25 August in the matchday 2 against Las Palmas which ended in a 1–1.[35] Later Manaj scored his first Copa del Rey goal in the second round tie against CD Lugo; his goal was a consolation one in the 93rd minute which was not enough to prevent the elimination of Albacete.[36]

On 9 July 2019, Albacete announced that Manaj signed a permanent five-year contract with the club.[37]

Barcelona

edit

On 20 January 2020, Manaj joined Segunda División B side Barcelona B, on a 3 12-year contract and his buyout clause is set at €50 million. Barcelona B reportedly paid a €700,000 transfer fee with €2 million in add-ons dependent on the player's performance over the 3 12 years of his contract.[38] Five days later, he made his debut in a 2–0 home win against Ejea after being named in the starting line-up.[39]

On 29 January, Manaj trained for the first time with Barcelona senior side,[40] and on 14 February, he was called up by coach Quique Setien for the league match against Getafe at home, becoming the first ever Albanian to make it to the club's first team.[41][42] He was an unused substitute as Barcelona won 2–1 at Camp Nou.[43]

Loan to Spezia

edit

On 31 August 2021, Manaj joined Serie A side Spezia Calcio on loan with an option to buy for a fee of €2.7 million.[44]

Watford

edit

On 12 July 2022, Manaj joined Championship club Watford on a three-year deal from Barcelona, for an undisclosed fee.[45] In the fourth game of the season, Manaj came off the bench to score his first goal for the Hornets in a 1–1 draw away at Birmingham City. He suffered a hamstring injury in early September 2022, and was successfully operated by surgeon Lasse Lempainen in Turku, Finland.[46] His contract with Watford was terminated by mutual consent after the January transfer window[47]

Sivasspor

edit

On August 22, 2023, he signed a three-year contract with Süper Lig club Sivasspor.[48]

International career

edit

Youth

edit

Under-19

edit

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.[49] 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.[50] 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.[51] 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.[52]

Under-21

edit

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.[53] He made his debut for the Albania under-21 side against Liechtenstein U21 coming on as a substitute at half-time in place of Jurgen Vatnikaj and managed also to score in his debut, in the 52nd minute of the match to sign the Albania U21s' 0–2 away victory.[54] 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.[55] 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.[56] On 28 March 2016, Manaj scored the equaliser 1–1 against Hungary U21 and his side went to win 2–1 following another goal scored by Herdi Prenga.[57]

Manaj returned to the under-21 side after two years absence in March 2018 for the double 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches versus Slovakia.[58] He scored a brace in the first match on 23 March which ended in a 3–2 home loss, despite Manaj giving Albania the advantage twice.[59] He also scored his team's only goal in the second match four days later as Albania lost 4–1 at Štadión pod Dubňom.[60] Manaj was also captain in this match.[60]

Senior

edit

Manaj's dream was that one day he can play for Albania senior team.[61] Manaj scored after 12 seconds with a first touch from his debut as a substitute for Albania against Kosovo putting two individual records at the same time for the fastest goal by an Albanian international as a substitute and youngest Albanian international goalscorer.[62] He later dedicated his goal to his family.[63] De Biasi stated that Manaj can play for Albania in Euro 2016,[64] but however, he was not called up in the provisional 27-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad.[65][66]

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.[67]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 18 November 2024[68][69][70][71]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cremonese 2014–15 Lega Pro 22 2 3 0 1[c] 0 26 2
Inter Milan 2015–16 Serie A 4 0 2 0 6 0
Pescara (loan) 2016–17 Serie A 12 2 1 0 13 2
Pisa (loan) 2016–17 Serie B 17 2 0 0 17 2
Granada (loan) 2017–18 Segunda División 19 1 1 0 19 1
Albacete 2018–19 (loan) Segunda División 27 6 1 1 2[d] 0 30 7
2019–20 10 3 1 0 11 3
Total 37 9 2 1 2 0 41 10
Barcelona B 2019–20 Segunda División B 6 1 3[e] 1 9 2
2020–21 21[f] 12 1[e] 2 22 14
Total 27 13 4 3 31 16
Spezia (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 30 5 0 0 30 5
Watford 2022–23 Championship 6 1 0 0 1 0 7 1
Sivasspor 2023–24 Süper Lig 33 18 3 4 36 22
2024–25 7 4 0 0 7 4
Total 40 22 3 4 43 26
Career total 214 57 12 5 1 0 7 3 234 65
  1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, Copa del Rey, Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Coppa Italia Lega Pro
  4. ^ Appearances in Segunda División play-offs
  5. ^ a b Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs
  6. ^ Includes six appearances in Segunda División B second phase

International

edit
As of match played 24 June 2024[68][72]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Albania 2015 2 1
2016 1 0
2018 5 0
2019 5 2
2020 7 2
2021 9 2
2022 2 0
2024 8 1
Total 39 8
As of 7 June 2024. Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Manaj's goal.[72]
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
2 14 October 2019 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova 11   Moldova 4–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
3 14 November 2019 Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania 12   Andorra 2–2 2–2
4 15 November 2020 Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania 19   Kazakhstan 3–1 3–1 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C
5 18 November 2020 20   Belarus 3–1 3–2
6 31 March 2021 San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino 23   San Marino 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 8 September 2021 Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania 27   San Marino 1–0 5–0
8 7 June 2024 Haladás Sportkomplexum, Szombathely, Hungary 34   Azerbaijan 2–0 3–1 Friendly

References

edit
  1. ^ Alfred Lleshi (21 December 2015). "Flet babai i Manajt: Rey, qysh fëmijë ëndërronte për Interin" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Profil: Nga Lushnja në Milano, historia e futbollistit Rey Manaj" (in Albanian). Gazeta Mapo. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. ^ ""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. ^ "Manaj përjashtohet nga Pescara" [Manaj suspended by Pescara] (in Albanian). Indeksonline.net. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  23. ^ Rinald Bregasi (26 November 2016). "Plas çështja Manaj te Pescara" [Manaj issue at Pescara] (in Albanian). Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  24. ^ "Manaj, Muric e Mitrita pronti a lasciare Pescara" [Manaj, Muric and Mitrita ready to leave Pescara] (in Italian). 2 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Manaj jonis Pisa on loan". inter.it. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Manaj kalon te Pisa, i bashkohet Çanit dhe Ujkanit" [Manaj passes to Pisa, joins Çani and Ujkani] (in Albanian). Ora Sport. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Ky është klubi i ri i Rey Manaj" [This is the new club of Rey Manaj] (in Albanian). Gazeta Blic. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Pisa vs. Ternana 1 – 0". Soccerway. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  29. ^ "Dërgoi penalltinë në tribunë, por Gatuzo i thur elozhe Rei Manajt" [Sends the penalty in the tribune, but still Gattuso praise Rey Manaj] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Manaj e bën sefte te Piza" [Manaj the first at Pisa] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  31. ^ "Sky – Rey Manaj to Granada on loan with option to buy". Enjoy Inter News. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  32. ^ "Granada vs. Barcelona II 2 – 2". Soccerway. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  33. ^ "Manaj moves to Albacete" (Press release). inter.it. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  34. ^ "Manaj debuton me gol në Spanjë (VIDEO)" [Manaj debutes with goal in Spain (Video)] (in Albanian). Insporti.com. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Las Palmas vs. Albacete 1 – 1". Soccerway. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  36. ^ "Manaj shënon, Albacete eliminohet nga Kupa e Mbretit" [Manaj scores, Albacete eliminated from Copa del Rey] (in Albanian). Ora News. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  37. ^ "#ReyManaj2024" (in Spanish). Albacete Balompié. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  38. ^ "Rei Manaj joins Barça B". FC Barcelona. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Barça B 2–0 Ejea: Hard work gets its reward". FC Barcelona. 25 January 2020. Barça B: Carevic, Morer (Mika, min 90), O. Mingueza, Guillem, Monchu, Saverio (Abel Ruiz, min 88), Hiroki, Jandro (Ilaix Moriba, min 78), Reis, Chumi, R. Manaj
  40. ^ "Rey Manaj stërvitet me Mesin te Barcelona, thirret në ekipin e parë (VIDEO)" [Rey Manaj trains with Messi at Barcelona, gets called up in the first team (Video)] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqip. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  41. ^ "Rey Manaj earns a place in Barcelona's matchday squad". Marca. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  42. ^ "Who is Rey Manaj?". Marca. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  43. ^ "VIDEO/ VAR-i shpëton Barcelonën, katalanasit mposhtin Getafen. Nuk ka vend për Manajn" [Video/ VAR saves Barcelona, the catalans defeats Getafe, there is no place for Manaj] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  44. ^ "Agreement with Spezia Calcio for the loan of Rey Manaj". FC Barcelona. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Official: Manaj Joins Watford". WatfordFC.com. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  46. ^ Lasse Lempainen leikkasi torstaina AC Milanin ja Watfordin tähtipelaajat – Näin heidät kuntoutetaan takaisin pelikentille, Helsingin Sanomat, 10 September 2022
  47. ^ Manaj, Rey. "Rey Manaj's contract has been terminated by mutual consent". Twitter. Watford FC. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  48. ^ "Rey Manaj EMS Yapı Sivasspor'umuzda" (in Turkish). Sivasspor. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  49. ^ "Barazon Kombëtarja, Lala: Kualifikohemi në Europian" [National team draws, Lala: We qualify for the European] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  50. ^ "Denmark U19 vs. Albania U19". Soccerway. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  51. ^ "Wales U19 vs. Albania U19". Soccerway. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  52. ^ "Summary – UEFA U19 Championship – Europe – Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  53. ^ "Shpresat nisi kualikimet kundër Lihtenshtajnit" [Hopes start the qualifiers versus Liechtenstein] (in Albanian). aSport.al. 17 March 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  54. ^ "U21, Shqipëria thyen 2–0 Lihtenshtejnin, vendosin golat e Latifit dhe Rei Manajt" [U21, Albania breaks 2–0 Liechtenstein, Latifi's and Manaj's goals decides] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  55. ^ "Grumbullohet kombetarja U-21" [Under-21 national team gathered] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  56. ^ "Shpresat barazojnë me 10 lojtarë ndaj Izraelit, Jupi: I kënaqur me reagimin e skuadrës" [Hopes draw with 10 players versus Israel, Jupi: Happy with team's reaction] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  57. ^ "U-21 fiton kunder Hungarise" [U-21 wins against Hungary] (in Albanian). AlbaniaSoccer. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  58. ^ "TRAJNERI BUSHI: "SLLOVAKIA E FORTË, POR NUK E KA ASPAK TË LEHTË ME SHQIPËRINË!"" [Coach Bushi: "Slovakia strong, but they are not going to have it easy with Albania!"] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  59. ^ "KOMBËTARJA U-21 HUMBET ME SLLOVAKINË, DY GOLAT E MANAJT NUK MJAFTOJNË" [Under-21 national team loses with Slovakia, two goals of Manaj wasn't enough] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  60. ^ a b "KOMBËTARJA U-21 HUMBET NË SLLOVAKI" [Under-21 national team loses in Slovakia] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  61. ^ "Talenti i Sampdorias: Ëndërra ime të luaj me Shqipërinë" [Sampdoria's talent: My dream is to play with Albania] (in Albanian). ASport.al. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  62. ^ "Mediat italiane për Manajn: Goli rekord dhe historia e rrallë". Gazeta Tema (in Albanian). 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  63. ^ "Manaj ia dedikon golin familjes" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  64. ^ "De Biasi: Manaj në Evropian, sepse ai e do këtë vend". Fax.al (in Albanian). 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  65. ^ Fatjon Pandovski (21 May 2016). "De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi". UEFA.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  66. ^ Fatjon Pandovski (22 May 2016). "No place for Hamdi Salihi in Albania's preliminary Euro 2016 squad". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  67. ^ "Xhani De Biazi publikon listën, risitë: Hyka, Manaj dhe Strakosha" [Gianni De Biasi publishes the list, the innovations: Hyka, Manaj and Strakosha] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  68. ^ a b "Rey Manaj". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  69. ^ Rey Manaj at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  70. ^ "Football : Rey Manaj". Football Database. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  71. ^ "Rey Manaj Player Profile". ESPN FC. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  72. ^ a b "Rey Manaj - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
edit