Esmir Bajraktarevic
Esmir Bajraktarević (born March 10, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. He has been nicknamed "The Milwaukee Messi" by his teammates. Professional career
Bajraktarević moved from Wisconsin to Foxborough, Massachusetts to join the Revolution Academy in August 2021. He signed a professional contract with New England Revolution II on Nov. 18, 2021. He signed a homegrown contract with the first team on May 23, 2022. In doing so he became the 9th homegrown player to sign for the Revolution first team, and the first from the club's residency program. Esmir made his MLS debut on August 17, 2022, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC. He'd make his first start three days later on August 20, 2022 in the Revolution's 4-0 loss to CF Montréal. Esmir spent the 2022 MLS offseason training with AZ Alkmaar. He scored his first professional goal, a 78th minute equalizer against Querétaro F.C. in the Leagues Cup, on August 8, 2023.

International career

At 17 years old, Bajraktarević received a call-up to the United States under-19 national team ahead of the Slovenia Nation's Cup. He has additionally earned two call-ups to the United States under-20 national team, the first coming as an invitation to the team's January Camp, where, at 16 years old, he was the youngest member of the team's roster. In April, he rejoined the team for training camp in April 2022 ahead of the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. On October 8, 2023, Bajraktarevic was called up to the United States under-23 national team ahead of friendlies against Mexico and Japan. Personal life
Born in the United States, Bajraktarević is of Bosnian descent. His family is from Srebrenica. References

2005 births
Living people
American men's soccer players
Soccer players from Wisconsin
Sportspeople from Appleton, Wisconsin
Men's association football midfielders
New England Revolution II players
New England Revolution players
USL League One players
American people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent
American people of Bosniak descent
American Muslims
MLS Next Pro players
Homegrown Players (MLS)
Major League Soccer players