Amarildo Belisha (born 11 July 1981) is a retired Albanian footballer who played as a midfielder and defender. He spent the majority of his career with his boyhood club Vllaznia Shkodër,[2] and represented the club in both the 2000 UEFA Intertoto Cup and the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League. He was given the nickname "Ildoja" during his time with Vllaznia Shkodër.[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Amarildo Belisha | ||
| Date of birth | 11 July 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Shkodër, Albania[1] | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder/Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1991–1998 | Vllaznia Shkodër | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1998–2004 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 103 | (8) |
| 2004–2005 | Elbasani | 27 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 30 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | Besa Kavajë | 53 | (4) |
| 2008–2009 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 24 | (1) |
| 2009–2010 | Flamurtari Vlorë | 15 | (0) |
| 2010–2014 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 114 | (1) |
| Total | 366 | (14) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2000–2003 | Albania U21 | 16 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 February 2016 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 February 2016 | |||
Club career edit
Following the end of the first part of 2009–10 Albanian Superliga, Belisha left Flamurtari Vlorë after making only 15 league appearances, becoming the club's 7th departure during the winter transfer window.[4]
On 6 January 2010, during the winter transfer window, Belisha agreed terms with his first club Vllaznia Shkodër and returned for a fourth stint at the club.[5] He signed a new one-year contract in July 2012.[6]
On 10 November 2013, Belisha recorded his 300th appearance with Vllaznia Shkodër during the 1–0 away defeat to his former side Besa Kavajë, playing 81 minutes.[7][8]
On 10 May 2014, he played his last match as a professional footballer during the 1–3 home defeat to Teuta Durrës, playing full-90 minutes.[9] A day later, Belisha announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33, ending thus his 15-year career.[10] Following his retirement, Belisha told the media that he would start his coaching career.[3]
International career edit
Belisha is the most-capped player in the history of Albania U21 with 16 appearances in all competitions.[11]
Personal life edit
On 30 September 2015, Belisha was arrested along with the citizen Ridvan Llazani after they were caught while trading and transporting smuggled goods.[12] They were arrested in Kukës – Shkodër highway.[12]
Honours edit
- Vllaznia Shkodër[2]
- Besa Kavajë[2]
References edit
- ^ "Amarildo Belisha" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ a b c "Albania – A. Belisha – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ a b Admir Uruçi (13 May 2014). "22 vite futboll, Belisha: Tani më shihni si trajner. Pengu im, që babai s'më pa në fushë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Amarildo Belisha ikën nga Flamurtari" [Amarildo Belisha flees from Flamurtari] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. January 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ Kel Naraçi (6 January 2010). "Lëvizjet/ Amarildo Belisha rikthehet në "shtëpi"!" [Transfers/ Amarildo Belisha returns "home"!] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ Amir Uruci (6 January 2010). "Shtubina te Vllaznia: U riktheva për titullin. Rinovon edhe Kraja me Belishën" [Shtubina at Vllaznia: I came back for the title. Kraja and Belisha renew] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Amarildo Belisha mbush 300 ndeshje me kuqeblutë" [Amarildo Belisha turns 300 matches with red&blues] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Besa Kavajë vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 1 – 0". Soccerway. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Vllaznia Shkodër vs. Teuta Durrës 1 – 3". Soccerway. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Estradë e Vllaznisë, revoltohen shkodranët. Amarildo Belisha, fund futbollit pas 15 vitesh" [Vllaznia show, shkodranët repulsed. Amarildo Belisha, end to foo[t]ball pas 15 years] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Under-21 – Albania". UEFA. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Shkodër, arrestohen 2 persona për tregtim dhe transport të mallrave kondrabandë" [Shkodër, 2 persons arrested for trade and transport of smuggled goods] (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2016.