Meet the ‘Milwaukee Messi’ who turned down USMNT for World Cup rivals
Wisconsin-born soccer player Esmir Bajraktarevic has chosen to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina over the USMNT. His recent success, including a decisive penalty kick against Italy, has made him a rising star in international football.
Why it matters
The case highlights the complexities of international player eligibility and the competitive nature of global soccer recruitment.
Esmir Bajraktarevic has become the Wisconsin-born World Cup name the United States men’s national team may regret losing after choosing Bosnia and Herzegovina over the country where he developed.
The article reports on sports news objectively without political or ideological framing.
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