The Eredivisie winger with a knack for threading passes at PSV Eindhoven has a story that spans from Appleton, Wisconsin, to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Esmir Bajraktarevic was born in the U.S., where his talent earned him spots in local youth clubs SC Wave and the Chicago Fire Academy, before joining the New England Revolution’s elite development program.

Bajraktarevic’s early career reflected a dual identity: during his formative years, he represented the country of his birth, donning the Stars and Stripes across multiple youth levels. His time with the U-19 and U-23 teams helped him emerge as one of America’s brightest prospects, though two years ago, he made a decision that changed the trajectory of his professional career.

Why Bajraktarevic switched from USMNT to Bosnia

The PSV midfielder, wearing No. 19, recently shared in an interview that his love for Bosnia is tied to a drive to win, a feeling that pushes him to do everything possible for his team.

Since 2024, Bajraktarevic switched his international allegiance to Bosnia, the country connected to his family roots. The move redefined his international career and fully integrated him into Bosnia’s national program.

“It’s your own people. Bosnia is a small country, so everything feels like family,” he said, reflecting that deep down, he always knew he belonged with Bosnia from a young age.

He added that playing for the Dragons is part of a dream shared by his uncles and cousins. Bajraktarevic has embraced the Bosnian national team as a way to honor his parents, who cheered through tears from the moment of his debut. His immediate goal: reach the World Cup, a challenge he believes is achievable thanks to the quality of Bosnia’s young Golden Lilies squad.

“The sky is the limit for us,” he said confidently.

U.S.-born star sparks debate

While Bajraktarevic praised his beloved Herzegovina, the online world quickly ignited a debate. Supporters celebrated the young talent, while critics labeled him opportunistic.

“New England Revolution made millions from his transfer. Lots of players switch national teams after youth stints in the USMNT - it happens everywhere,” one defender argued.

On the other side, some fans accused Bajraktarevic of being ungrateful for the U.S. Soccer Federation, which gave him multiple opportunities in youth teams.

For many, his choice suggests that he used the U.S. youth system as a stepping stone to launch an international career with Bosnia, raising questions about commitment and talent evaluation for players with dual nationality.

From this perspective, calls are growing for more rigorous scrutiny of players’ intentions, emphasizing that using the U.S. system without genuine willingness to represent the country should influence future selection decisions.

Are Bosnia and Herzegovina playing in the 2026 World Cup?

Bosnia and Herzegovina haven’t yet qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but they could still book a spot.

They travel to Wales in the semifinals of a UEFA playoff, with the winner facing either Italy or Northern Ireland for a place in the tournament.

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