.jpg) Hysaj playing forNapoli in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Elseid Gëzim Hysaj | ||
| Date of birth | (1994-02-02)2 February 1994 (age 31) | ||
| Place of birth | Reç, Albania[1] | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Full-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lazio | ||
| Number | 23 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Shkodra | ||
| 2002–2008 | Vllaznia | ||
| 2008–2012 | Empoli | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2015 | Empoli | 102 | (1) |
| 2015–2021 | Napoli | 179 | (1) |
| 2021– | Lazio | 99 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2010 | Albania U17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Albania U21 | 4 | (0) |
| 2013– | Albania | 96 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:07, 4 October 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:45, 16 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Elseid Hysaj (Albanian pronunciation:[ɛlsɛˈidˈhysaj]; born 2 February 1994) is an Albanian professionalfootballer who plays as afull-back forSerie A clubLazio and theAlbania national team.[3]
After progressing through theyouth academy ofEmpoli, Hysaj made his senior debut with the club in 2012 and became a regular starter by the following season. During his four years with the Tuscan side, he made over 90 appearances in all competitions, playing a key role in the team’s promotion toSerie A and establishing himself as one of the most promising young full-backs in Italy. Known for his versatility on both defensive flanks, composure on the ball, and consistent performances, he attracted the attention of major Serie A clubs before joiningNapoli in 2015.
Across his six-year spell at Napoli (2015–2021), Hysaj evolved from a promising young defender into one of Serie A’s most reliable and tactically disciplined full-backs. Having reunited with coachMaurizio Sarri from their Empoli times, he immediately became a key starter and maintained that role through subsequent managerial changes underCarlo Ancelotti andGennaro Gattuso. Equally adept on both flanks, Hysaj’s consistency, defensive awareness, and composure on the ball made him a cornerstone of Napoli’s backline during a period in which the club regularly challenged for the league title. He amassed over 220 appearances in all competitions, contributing to multiple top-two Serie A finishes and playing an important role in Napoli’sCoppa Italia triumph. After the expiration of his contract in 2021, Hysaj left the club as one of its longest-serving and most dependable players of the decade.
JoiningLazio in 2021 on a free transfer, Hysaj reunited once again with coachMaurizio Sarri, becoming part of a transitional phase for the club. He quickly established himself as a flexible full-back option on both flanks, featuring regularly in his debut campaign and contributing to Lazio’s fifth-place finish in Serie A. Over the following seasons, he remained a reliable rotational presence, alternating starting duties with teammatesManuel Lazzari andAdam Marušić. During the 2022–23 season, he achieved a personal record of 43 appearances, playing a key role as Lazio finished runners-up in Serie A for the first time in over two decades. His tactical intelligence and professionalism made him a trusted figure in Sarri’s defensive system, despite reduced playing time in later campaigns. By 2025, Hysaj had surpassed the 120-appearance mark for the Biancocelesti across all competitions, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most consistent Albanian defenders to have played in Italy’s top flight.
A full international since 2013, Hysaj has been a central figure for theAlbania national team for over a decade, earning more than 90 caps. Renowned for his defensive discipline, versatility on both flanks, and leadership qualities, he has represented Albania in several major campaigns, including their historic qualification forUEFA Euro 2016 and participation in theUEFA Euro 2024 finals. Serving multiple times as national team captain, Hysaj played a pivotal role during UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup qualifying cycles, consistently anchoring the defence through different managerial eras—fromGianni De Biasi toSylvinho. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Albanian defenders of his generation, his international career has been marked by consistency, professionalism, and key contributions to some of Albania’s most successful periods in modern football history.
Hysaj was born inReç,Malësi e Madhe,Albania. Two months after his birth, his father, Gëzim, emigrated toItaly, as manyAlbanians did in the 1990s, seeking employment opportunities to support his family. Elseid grew up inShkodër with his mother and grandparents, while his father worked in Italy as a bricklayer.[4]
Hysaj began his youth career at age seven withKF Shkodra, an amateur club based in his hometown of Shkodër and managed by Taip Piraniqi.[5][6] While working at the home of football agent Marco Piccioli, Hysaj's father mentioned that his son was a talented footballer. As Elseid was only 10 years old at the time, Piccioli advised Gëzim to wait a few years. When Elseid turned 14, he travelled to Italy, where he was assessed by Piccioli and took part in trials with several clubs, includingFiorentina, before eventually joining theEmpoli academy.[7]
Hysaj played for theEmpoli Primavera (under-19) side during the 2011–12 season, where he made 21 appearances and scored one goal.[8]
Hysaj received his first call-up to the Empoli senior squad during the 9th matchday of the2011–12 Serie B season, for the game againstVarese on 9 October 2011, where he remained an unused substitute throughout the match.[9] Later in the season, he was included in the matchday squad on two more occasions, in March and April 2012, but again did not feature on the field.[10][11] He made his professional debut for the first team on 24 November 2011 in aCoppa Italia match againstFiorentina, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 defeat.[12]
Hysaj made his league debut on 20 October 2012 during matchday 10 againstVirtus Lanciano, which ended in a 0–3 away victory for Empoli, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute.[13] Empoli finished the 2012–13 season in 4th place, thus qualifying for thepromotion playoffs. In the semi-finals againstNovara, Hysaj played the full 90 minutes in both legs — first on 22 May 2013, a 1–1 away draw,[14] and then on 26 May 2013, when Empoli secured a 4–1 home win.[15]
In the two-legged final againstLivorno, Hysaj once again played the entire match in both legs. The first leg on 29 May 2013 ended in a 1–1 draw,[16] while the second leg on 2 June 2013 finished in a 1–0 defeat,[17] meaning Livorno earned promotion to the2013–14 Serie A with a 2–1 aggregate victory. Hysaj completed his first full season with Empoli making 35 appearances in all competitions — 30 in the league, one in theCoppa Italia, and four in the promotion playoffs — and providing one assist.[18]
On 19 September 2013, Hysaj renewed his contract with Empoli, extending it until 2015.[19]
He scored his first professional goal on 17 April 2014 in a match againstVirtus Lanciano. The goal came in the 4th minute after he received the ball near the edge of the penalty area, dribbled past three opponents in a zig-zag move, and fired a left-footed shot into the net. Despite his effort, Empoli lost the match 2–1, but the goal was noted by the media for its individual quality and technical execution.[20][21]
Throughout the season, Hysaj emerged as a consistent presence in the first-team lineup, earning praise for his defensive maturity and tactical discipline despite his young age. A season review published on 19 April 2014 also highlighted his goal-scoring strike, underlining his increasing influence both in defence and in attack.[22]
On 30 May 2014, Empoli secured promotion toSerie A after a six-year absence, finishing the campaign among the top teams inSerie B.[23]
By the end of the campaign, Hysaj had gathered a total of 34 appearances and 1 goal across league and cup competitions, establishing himself as a key part of Empoli’s defence ahead of their return to Serie A.[24]
He made his Serie A debut on 31 August 2014 in the opening match againstUdinese, which ended in a 2–0 away defeat.[25] On 31 October, Hysaj signed a new contract keeping him at the club until June 2017, with his annual salary increasing from €170,000 to €200,000.[26]
During the season, Hysaj further developed his technical and tactical abilities, becoming known for his versatility to play on both flanks and his increasing involvement in attacking phases through overlapping runs and accurate ball distribution from the back.[27] In February 2015, he provided two consecutive assists in Serie A matches — the first in a 2–0 home victory overCesena, and the second a decisive pass in a 1–1 draw againstMilan. These performances underlined his growing offensive contribution and maturity on the field.[28] Following consistent performances throughout the campaign, he was selected in the Serie A Team of the Week for matchday 17 after a goalless draw againstVerona.[29] In the 2014–15 campaign, his final season with Empoli, Hysaj made a total of 36 league appearances, including 33 as a starter,[24] and featured in threeCoppa Italia matches, where Empoli were eliminated in the Round of 16 byRoma after extra time.[30]
In July 2015, Hysaj transferred toNapoli, joining his former Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri and teammateMirko Valdifiori. On 3 August 2015, he completed the move and signed a five-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million.[31] The transfer made Hysaj the second most expensive Albanian international player at the time, behindLorik Cana’s €6.75 million move fromGalatasaray toLazio in July 2011.[32][33]
Hysaj made his competitive debut for Napoli on 23 August 2015 in the opening Serie A match againstSassuolo, which ended in a 2–1 away defeat.[34] He soon established himself as a regular starter, playing the full 90 minutes in most matches and often preferred to the more experiencedChristian Maggio.[35][36] On 17 September 2015, he made his European debut in theUEFA Europa League group stage, in a 5–0 home victory overClub Brugge.[37] Napoli went on to win all six group matches, finishing first in Group D and advancing to the Round of 32.[38] On 8 February 2016, sports journalistGianluca Di Marzio included Hysaj in his “Best Serie A Under-23 XI”, praising his consistency and tactical discipline among young talents such asPaul Pogba,Paulo Dybala,Mauro Icardi, andM'Baye Niang.[39] The same year, Calciomercato.it named him the best right-back in Serie A for the season.[40]
By the end of the season Hysaj, as one of Napoli’s most consistent performers, had featured in 37 of 38 Serie A matches, all as a starter, missing only one game due to suspension after accumulating four yellow cards.[28] Napoli finished the season as Serie A runners-up behindJuventus.[24]
In June 2016 UEFA described Hysaj as an "attack-minded full-back" capable of contributing effectively in both phases of play, reflecting his growing tactical versatility and importance within Napoli’s system.[41]
On 13 September 2016, Hysaj made hisUEFA Champions League debut in a 2–1 away win againstDynamo Kyiv.[42] Napoli topped their group but were eliminated in the Round of 16 byReal Madrid, losing both legs 3–1. Hysaj played seven of Napoli’s eight matches in the competition, completing the full 90 minutes each time.[24]
InSerie A, he made 35 appearances, starting 34 of them and completing almost every match in full, confirming his status as one of the team’s most reliable players throughout the campaign. The matches he did not start were generally due to rotation during Napoli’s Champions League campaign.[24][28] He was ranked third among Napoli players for total minutes across all competitions.[43] By season’s end, his market value was estimated at €18 million, making him the most valuable player of theAlbania national team.[44] Napoli finished the Serie A campaign in third place behind Juventus andRoma.[24]
Hysaj began the season on 19 August 2017, when he was sent off in the 83rd minute of Napoli’s 3–1 away win overHellas Verona on the opening matchday of2017–18 Serie A.[45] Under Sarri’s 4-3-3 system, Hysaj was increasingly deployed as a modern full-back capable of both defending solidly and contributing to the attack, reflecting his tactical versatility within Napoli’s setup.[46][47]
On 21 October, he made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Napoli in the goalless home draw againstInternazionale.[48]
In European competition, he played ten matches across theUEFA Champions Leaguegroup stage and thequalifying play-off rounds. After finishing third in their group, Napoli entered theUEFA Europa League knockout phase, where they were eliminated byRB Leipzig on the away goals rule.[24]
In Serie A, Hysaj made 35 appearances, completing nearly all of them in full, missing only two matches throughout the campaign.[24][28] Napoli achieved a club-record total of 91 points, finishing as runners-up four points behind Juventus. The team also reached the quarter-finals of the2017–18 Coppa Italia.[24][28]
Chelsea made a bid for Hysaj in the summer of 2018 for £43 million.[49] However, his agent valued him at €60 million.[50] Around that time, Hysaj was regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world.[51]
With the arrival of managerCarlo Ancelotti, Hysaj retained his place as a first-team regular, though he featured less frequently than in previous seasons as Ancelotti often rotated the right-back position withNikola Maksimović andKévin Malcuit.[28] Over the course of the campaign, Hysaj made 27 league appearances as Napoli once again finished runners-up in Serie A.[24] He also appeared once in the domestic cup and featured in seven European matches across the Champions League and Europa League, helping Napoli reach the quarter-finals of the latter competition, where they were eliminated byArsenal.[24] Despite Napoli’s exit, Hysaj earned praise from Italian and European media for his disciplined performances and improved attacking movement during the Europa League ties againstSalzburg and Arsenal, highlighting his consistency and maturity under Ancelotti.[52]
In the 2019–20 season campaign, he lost his regular right-back starting position toGiovanni Di Lorenzo, but following the arrival of managerGennaro Gattuso he was still deployed 17 times as a starter in Serie A, including several appearances as a left-back ahead ofMário Rui.[24][28] On 6 October 2019, Hysaj suffered a partial sternal fracture following a collision during the league match againstTorino, which forced him to be stretchered off the field and sidelined for several weeks.[53] Hysaj scored his first goal for Napoli on 25 July 2020, in a league match againstSassuolo.[54] He featured once in the domestic cup and appeared in seven European matches (Champions League and Europa League), with Napoli reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.[24] In the Champions League round-of-16 tie, Napoli were eliminated byBarcelona after a 3–1 home defeat on 8 August 2020.[55][24]
In the 2020–21 season, Hysaj retained his starting place at left-back, while also being rotated on the opposite flank. He missed a total of 13 matches due to injuries and a COVID-19 infection, but still managed to make 29 appearances in all competitions, providing three assists.[28]
In November 2020, while on international duty with Albania, Hysaj tested positive for COVID-19 and remained in isolation in Albania for several days before returning to Naples after recovering and testing negative.[56] He rejoined team training in early December after testing negative alongside his teammates.[57]
During his absence, Napoli were eliminated from theEuropa League in the intermediate stage. In the domestic cup, he featured in Napoli’s run to the semi-finals of theCoppa Italia, where they were eliminated byAtalanta.[24] In Serie A, Napoli finished fifth with 77 points, narrowly missing out on a UEFA Champions League qualifications spot by just one point behind Juventus and Atalanta.[58]
During the season, discussions also emerged regarding Hysaj’s contract situation, as he entered the final year of his deal with Napoli. Reports in December 2020 suggested that while the club still considered him an important squad member, renewal talks had stalled, raising the possibility of a departure at the end of the campaign.[59]
At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Hysaj left Napoli upon the expiration of his contract after six years at the club. His agent confirmed that repeated attempts to reach a renewal agreement had failed, making his departure inevitable.[60] Hysaj himself stated that he was ready for a new challenge and that his cycle at Napoli had come to an end.[61]
On 1 July 2021, Hysaj joinedLazio on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract and reuniting with his former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, who himself insisted for him, confirming his intent to deploy Hysaj as a full-back in his 4-3-3 system.[62] During his introduction to the squad, he performed the partisan songBella ciao as part of his initiation, which provoked criticism from a section of Lazio ultras due to its political associations. The club publicly condemned the offensive reactions and expressed full support for the player.[63]
Hysaj made his debut in the opening match of the2021–22 Serie A season on 21 August 2021 against his former side Empoli, with Lazio winning 3–1 away.[64] He scored his first goal for Lazio in the following week againstSpezia, contributing to a 6–1 home victory.[65]
Hysaj quickly established himself as a regular starter, completing nearly all of his appearances, with occasional rotation among full-backs due to a congested calendar and Lazio's participation in theUEFA Europa League that season.[28]
During December 2021, Hysaj underwent medical examinations after sustaining an adductor injury in the 3–1 Serie A win overGenoa on 17 December; reports indicated he would miss upcoming matches as the club awaited a full diagnostic.[66]
During February 2022, he lost his regular starting position as coach Sarri rotated his full-backs, and after week 30 he played less than 30 minutes in all matches, reflecting the reduced role.[28] He concluded the season with 38 appearances across all competitions. Lazio finished 5th in Serie A, qualifying for the next season's Europa League. In the2021–22 Coppa Italia, Lazio reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated byMilan. In the Europa League, they progressed from the group stage but were eliminated byPorto in the intermediate stage.[28][24]
At the start of the 2022–23 campaign, Hysaj was mostly used as a substitute on the right flank, with limited minutes during the first half of the season. However, in the second part of the campaign, he regained a regular starting position, primarily operating as a left-back in Maurizio Sarri’s defensive line.[28][24]
Hysaj made 43 appearances in all competitions, setting his personal record for most games in a single season with Lazio. He scored his only goal of the season on 28 May 2023, opening the scoring in the 4th minute of the 3–2 home win overCremonese, a result that sent Lazio to second place in the league standings in the penultimate round.[67]
Lazio finished the season as Serie A runners-up, achieving their highest league placement since the 1999–2000 title-winning campaign and their first top-two finish since 1998–99.[24][28] In the domesticCoppa Italia, the team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Juventus, while in European competitions Lazio placed third in theirUEFA Europa League group and subsequently entered the newly establishedUEFA Europa Conference League, advancing to theround of 16.[24][28]
During the 2023–24 season, Hysaj alternated between starting and substitute roles, sharing the left-back position with teammateManuel Lazzari.[28] In Serie A, he made 22 appearances in total, splitting evenly between 11 starts and 11 substitute appearances, helping Lazio secure a 7th-place finish and direct qualification for the following season’s Europa League.[24]
In the domestic cup, Hysaj partcipated in Lazio’s progress until the semi-finals, where the team was eliminated by Juventus. He featured for the full 90 minutes in the second leg as right-midfielder, which Lazio won 2–1 but could not overturn the 2–0 defeat from the first leg, in which Hysaj had appeared for the final ten minutes.[24] He also took part in the 2023 Supercoppa Italiana on 19 January 2024, coming on as a late substitute in the final minutes of the match against Inter, played inRiyadh,Saudi Arabia, which Lazio lost 3–0.[68] In theChampions League, Hysaj made five appearances as a starter, helping Lazio progress from the group stage. The team was later eliminated in the round of 16 byBayern Munich. Hysaj played 60 minutes in the first leg, a 1–0 home victory for Lazio, but did not feature in the second leg, which ended in a 3–0 defeat.[24][28]
During the early part of the 2024–25 campaign, Hysaj’s situation at Lazio shifted significantly. The club identified his contract and wages — reportedly around €2.8 million per annum — as a financial burden, initiating discussions about a possible loan or permanent transfer.[69][70] As of mid-season, he made only a few appearances, being omitted from both the Serie A and Europa League squads for extended periods.[71] According to club statistics, Hysaj recorded 11 appearances in Serie A, three cup appearances and two European games, amounting to 583 minutes in all competitions.[72]
Born inShkodër, Albania, and raised in Italy after emigrating with his family at a young age, Hysaj was eligible to represent both nations at international level. Despite being approached by theItalian Football Federation to join their youth setup, he chose to represent his country of birth, committing to theAlbanian Football Federation from an early stage in his career.[6]
Hysaj represented Albania at various youth levels before making his senior debut. He was first called up to theunder-17 side, with whom he played three matches during the2011 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round. He featured in defeats toNorway (2–0) andRepublic of Ireland (2–0), and in a 1–1 draw againstMalta.[73][74][75]
Following strong performances withEmpoli inSerie B and upon the recommendation ofAlbania senior team’s assistant coachPaolo Tramezzani, managerGianni De Biasi invited Hysaj for afriendly match match againstGeorgia on 6 February 2013.[76]
He made his debut in that match aged 19, becoming one of the youngest players to appear for Albania in recent years.[77]
Later next month, he made his first competitive appearance in aWorld Cup qualifier againstNorway, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute forArmend Dallku during a 1–0 away victory.[78] He also appeared in the reverse fixture on 7 June 2013, entering as a late substitute forErvin Bulku in a 1–1 draw.[79] Later that year, he was called up for the double away fixtures againstSlovenia andIceland on 6 and 10 September 2013 respectively.[80] Hysaj remained an unused substitute against Slovenia in the 1–0 loss.[81]
He was recalled to the national side once again for a friendly match againstBelarus on 15 November 2013.[82]
After establishing himself in the senior setup, Hysaj briefly returned to theunder-21 squad for the2015 UEFA U21 qualifiers, debuting againstAustria on 14 August 2013,[83] where anown goal he conceded resulted in a 1–0 defeat.[84]
He later captained the U21 side in a 0–1 loss toBosnia and Herzegovina on 15 October 2013,[85] and featured againstSpain in a 2–0 defeat on 18 November 2013,[86] and Austria again, with Albania earning a 3–1 away win in the latter match.[87]
Following his consistent performances for both the under-21 and senior teams, andretirement from international duties ofArmend Dallku, Hysaj became a regular starter for Albania from the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign onwards.
Hysaj became a key figure in Albania's defence during theUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign under coachGianni De Biasi, forming part of a backline that conceded only five goals in eight matches. He started in the historic 1–0 away victory overPortugal on 7 September 2014, Albania’s first-ever win against the Portuguese side.[88] His solid defensive display against world-class forwards such asCristiano Ronaldo drew widespread praise in both Albanian and international media.[89]
Throughout the qualifiers, Hysaj remained an undisputed starter, featuring in all eight matches as Albania achieved a historic qualification for their first-ever major tournament. His versatility and composure were crucial in matches againstDenmark,Serbia, andArmenia, where Albania secured key results including a decisive 3–0 away win over Armenia on 11 October 2015 that sealed qualification.[90]
Following the qualification, Hysaj was widely regarded as one of the team’s most consistent performers, earning recognition for his tactical discipline and leadership despite his young age.[91]
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On 21 May 2016, Hysaj was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad forUEFA Euro 2016,[92] and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro squad on 31 May.[93] On 28 May, he captained his side for the first time during the Euro 2016 warm-up match againstQatar, which ended in a 3–1 win, becoming the youngest ever captain.[94]
Hysaj played every minute of Albania’s Group A campaign, as the team finished third behind hostsFrance andSwitzerland, and ahead ofRomania following a 1–0 victory in the final match, with a goal byArmando Sadiku,[95] concluding the group stage with three points and a −2 goal difference, ranking last among the third-placed teams, which led to their elimination.[96] He was described by UEFA as an “attack-minded full-back” capable of contributing effectively in both defence and attack, highlighting his tactical maturity and versatility during the tournament.[41] He was later listed among the candidates for the Best Young Player award of Euro 2016, praised for his balance between defensive awareness, attacking initiative, and fair play.[97]
Hysaj retained his starting place in Albania’s2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, playing the full 90 minutes in each of the first three matches,[24] as Albania began the group strongly, collecting six points from the opening two fixtures — a 2–1 home victory overMacedonia and a 2–0 away win againstLiechtenstein. Hysaj provided an assist in both matches, underlining his growing importance in the team’s attacking transitions.[28] On 12 November 2016, Albania suffered a 3–0 home defeat toIsrael in a match marked by two red cards for Albanian players,Berat Djimsiti (17') andEtrit Berisha (55').[98]
Hysaj added another assist in the reverse fixture on 11 June 2017, contributing to a 3–0 away victory over Israel that avenged the earlier defeat.[99][24]
Following the match, coachGianni De Biasi resigned, but Hysaj remained a consistent starter for the remainder of the campaign, even after fellow italian successorChristian Panucci. Albania ultimately finished third in Group G with 13 points.[100]
In the inauguralUEFA Nations League campaign, Hysaj started all matches as Albania finished third in their League C group behindScotland andIsrael, earning one win and three defeats. He captained the side once, in the away fixture against Scotland.[101] For the subsequentUEFA Euro 2020 qualification campaign, Hysaj was officially named captain ahead of the opening match againstTurkey on 22 March 2019.[102] After a 1–0 home defeat to Turkey and a run of poor results, head coachChristian Panucci was dismissed and replaced byEdoardo Reja.[103]
Under Reja, Hysaj maintained his captaincy in the coach’s debut match on 8 June 2019 againstIceland, though Albania lost 1–0. In subsequent fixtures, Reja temporarily handed the armband to veteranMërgim Mavraj, before restoring it to Hysaj for the return match against Iceland on 10 September. In that fixture, Hysaj was deployed as a right midfielder in a 3–5–2 formation and scored his first international goal, contributing significantly to Albania’s hard-fought 4–2 victory at home.[104] Albania collected 13 points in Group H but ultimately finished fourth, thus failing to qualify for the finals.[105] Despite the outcome, Hysaj’s leadership, versatility, and consistent performances were widely praised by both domestic and international media, consolidating his position as Albania’s long-term captain.
In Albania’s second participation in theUEFA Nations League, Hysaj captained the team in the opening match against Belarus on 4 September 2020, providing an assist and contributing to a 2–0 away victory.[106] Due to injuries and COVID-19 restrictions, he featured in only two of the remaining five group matches. Despite his absence, Albania collected 11 points and topped their group, earning promotion to League B for the next edition.[28]
During the2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Hysaj’s role as team captain was temporarily assumed by veteran goalkeeperEtrit Berisha, partly due to Hysaj’s reduced club minutes atNapoli.[24] Nevertheless, Hysaj remained a key starter throughout the qualifiers, providing defensive stability and experience as Albania achieved their highest-ever points total in a World Cup qualifying group. Albania recorded victories againstAndorra,San Marino, and notablyHungary, but failed to secure points against group favouritesEngland andPoland. Ultimately, Albania finished third in Group I, missing out on a play-off spot by just two points, but setting a national record with 18 points collected — their best-ever World Cup qualifying performance.[107][108]
Hysaj’s consistency, professionalism, and experience were widely recognised during the campaign, as he led an increasingly competitive and youthful Albanian side that demonstrated progress against higher-ranked opponents.
Due to the absence of a natural left-back in the squad, Hysaj was occasionally deployed on the left flank during the2022–23 UEFA Nations League B campaign, allowing teammateIván Balliu to start on the right side of defence.[109] Hysaj featured in all four group matches, captaining Albania in the away fixture against Israel. Albania recorded two identical 1–1 draws against Iceland and two 2–1 defeats to Israel, finishing third of the group but not relegated to League C due to suspension ofRussia.[110][109]
Following the appointment ofSylvinho as Albania’s head coach in early 2023, Hysaj was reinstated in his natural right-back position, as the coach established a more balanced defensive setup with a dedicated left-back option, also reappointing Hysaj as team captain, where he featured in all three opening matches of theEuro 2024 qualifying campaign in March and in June 2023, during which Albania achieved two victories and one defeat.[111]
Later in September 2023, the captaincy was officially passed toBerat Djimsiti, though Hysaj continued to serve as a senior leader and regular starter playing full 90-minutes.[24][28] Albania maintained a strong run of form throughout the qualifiers, registering two additional victories and three draws,[109] ultimately finishing top of their group for the first time in history, collecting 15 points—level with theCzech Republic but ahead on head-to-head record—thus securing qualification for the final tournament of aEuropean Championship for only the second time ever.[112]
In June 2024, Hysaj was included in Sylvinho’s final 26-man squad forUEFA Euro 2024, hosted inGermany.[113]
He featured in Albania’s first two group matches ofUEFA Euro 2024 Group B, starting againstItaly andCroatia.[114] In the opening 2–1 defeat to Italy, Hysaj was involved in the action leading to the decisive goal, drawing criticism from several media outlets.[115] He was again criticised for his performance in the following 2–2 draw withCroatia, where Albania conceded an equaliser from his defensive side.[116] As a result, coach Sylvinho opted to leave him on the bench for the final match against Spain giving the starting role to Iván Balliu.[117] Albania finished bottom of the group with one point and were eliminated from the tournament.[118]
In the opening match of the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B on 7 September 2024 against Ukraine, Hysaj returned to captaincy in the absence of Berat Djimsiti, leading Albania to a 2–1 away victory in Prague.[109] He continued to serve as captain in the following two fixtures, but after back-to-back defeats to Georgia and the Czech Republic,[24] coach Sylvinho opted to rotate the squad, giving the starting position to Balliu for the remaining three matches.[28] Albania secured a home win in the return fixture against Georgia, drew with the Czech Republic, and narrowly lost to Ukraine, finishing with seven points—equal to Georgia and one behind Ukraine (8)—in a tightly contested group. As a result, Albania were relegated back to League C for the next edition.[119]
During the2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) campaign, Hysaj featured in three of Albania’s six matches in Group K, playing the full 90 minutes in each appearance. With him on the pitch, Albania kept three consecutive clean sheets, recording two wins and one draw, results that proved decisive in keeping the team in contention for a potential play-off spot.[24]
On 9 June 2015, Hysaj became engaged to Miss Albania 2013, Fiorenza Lekstakaj.[120] The couple married in June 2019.[121] They have three children together: a son, Elis (born 2016), a daughter, Gloria (born 2021), and a younger son, Teo (born 2023).[122][123][124]
Hysaj is a supporter of theSocialist Party of Albania, having taken part in the 2017 electoral campaign inShkodër.[125]
He is also the cousin of footballersAlessio andDaniel Hysaj, both of whom playing in the ItalianSerie D.[126][127]
| Club | Season | League | Coppa Italia | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Empoli | 2011–12 | Serie B | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14 | 32 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 | ||||
| 2014–15 | Serie A | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 0 | |||
| Total | 102 | 1 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 109 | 1 | ||||
| Napoli | 2015–16 | Serie A | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | — | 43 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7[b] | 0 | — | 45 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10[c] | 0 | — | 47 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7[d] | 0 | — | 35 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2020–21 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | ||
| Total | 179 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 225 | 1 | ||
| Lazio | 2021–22 | Serie A | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7[a] | 0 | — | 38 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8[e] | 0 | — | 43 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2025–26 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 99 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 129 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 380 | 4 | 28 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 461 | 4 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 96 | 2 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 September 2019 | Elbasan Arena,Elbasan, Albania |  Iceland | 2–1 | 4–2 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 2 | 8 September 2021 | Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania |  San Marino | 4–0 | 5–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Napoli[24]
Isha 7 vjeç kur fillova të merresha me futboll.
I started my career with the Shkodra Sport team with coach Taip Piraniqi; also, I want to say that Italy called me but I refused because I was born Albanian and I will remain Albanian.
EU-Footbal.info was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).
Albania squads | |||||||
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