Esmir Bajraktarević on ‘The Soccer Show’: “I want to win with this team”
One of the bright spots for the New England Revolution this season has been the development of promising Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević. The 19-year-old midfielder has been with the club since August 2021 and has quickly risen through the ranks from the Academy to Revolution II, and now featuring as a key contributor with the first team.
Bajraktarević has made the most of his opportunities in 2024, collecting career highs in appearances (25) and starts (20), with three goals and three assists to boot. The midfielder also set a club record earlier in the season, collecting four assists in Concacaf Champions Cup play – the most by a Revolution player in the tournament.
Bajraktarević joined D.J. Bean on ‘The Soccer Show’ this morning to discuss his rise and continued development in 2024, as well as his debut for Bosnia & Herzegovina on the international stage earlier this month.
“Honestly, for me, it’s just taking it day by day and improving every day,” Bajraktarević said. “I want to win with this team. I want to win with my teammates. I’ve created such deep connections here within the club with coaches and teammates that I’ve met over the years, so it would be great to win here.”
The 2024 campaign been a season of growth for Bajraktarević and the Revolution. Currently fighting for a playoff spot with five games left to play, New England has struggled in recent weeks, culminating with a 4-0 defeat at Charlotte FC last weekend. For the young winger, it has presented an opportunity to learn firsthand about the ebbs and flows of a 34-game professional soccer season.
“It is all about just learning and experiencing these things,” Bajraktarević said. “Obviously, sometimes there are good times and there are bad times, so just figuring out how to keep a balance and to not get too high or too low.”
Bajraktarević has relied heavily on some of his veteran teammates. Whether its advice on how to hone his skills, or just a shoulder to lean upon, the Appleton, Wisconsin native has relished the opportunity to learn from his peers. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he has a former MLS MVP playing next to him.
“I would probably say Carles Gil, just watching him play and seeing how he how he carries himself has been good to learn from,” Bajraktarević said. “I have some other players around me that talk to me a lot and tell me what I can do better and that helps, but also watching them, seeing how they carry themselves, and learning from them is big.”
While Bajraktarević has made a big jump at the club level, he made major waves with his senior international debut with the Bosnia & Herzegovina National Team earlier this month. Having previously represented the United States on both the youth and senior level, Bajraktarević switched his allegiance to his parents home nation of Bosnia.
In his first appearance – a UEFA Nations League clash against the Netherlands – Bajraktarević made an immediate impact by serving an assist to his childhood hero Edin Dzeko.
“I’m very proud to be Bosnian,” Bajraktarević said. “It was great. My mom cried a little bit, my dad cried a little bit, and it was a surreal moment for me. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Listen to Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies call the action on 98.5 The Sports Hub when Bajraktarević and the Revolution host Nashville SC on Saturday, the club’s annual Fight Childhood Cancer Night, at Gillette Stadium. Watch the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish.
