Before he became a hero for an unlikely World Cup team that eliminated a historic powerhouse, Esmir Bajraktarević was just a kid from a small Midwestern town. Nicknamed “Milwaukee Messi” along his journey, the 21-year-old etched his name in football lore in March by scoring a decisive penalty that knocked Italy out of contention for the 2026 World Cup.
Bajraktarević grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, a town of 75,000 people, raised on Bosnian food like borek and cevapi. He spoke Bosnian at home, listened to Bosnian music, and played soccer in the backyard with his brother, imagining German legend Manuel Neuer in goal. His parents had escaped the Bosnian War to settle in the U.S., and those roots shaped his identity. {IMAGE_1}
When he stepped up to take the critical spot kick against Italy in Zenica, with childhood idol Edin Dzeko standing nearby, Bajraktarević was ready. “Here it is,” he told himself. “I can win it.” He drilled a left-footed shot under Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom left corner, then ran to the crowd, tore off his jersey, and held it up proudly. “It was like a dream come true,” he said. “It sounds cheesy, but that’s the only way I can explain it.”
That penalty meant Italy missed a third straight World Cup and put Bosnia and Herzegovina in a winnable Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. This summer, Bajraktarević will return to the United States to play in the World Cup in front of family and friends. He previously played for U.S. youth national teams and made his senior debut under Mauricio Pochettino in January 2024. But later that year, he switched allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision driven by his heritage. “This was something I was dreaming about since I was a kid,” he said. “Bosnia called, and it was really special for me.”
His soccer journey began in Milwaukee and Chicago before he was recruited by the New England Revolution academy at age 16. Leaving Wisconsin was tough at first, but he quickly impressed. Former Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo recalled, “If you came to watch our second team play, you’d think, ‘Esmir is really effing good.’ He has exceptional technique and mastery of the ball.” Former U.S. coach Bruce Arena also noted his quality: “He’s technically good, good at passing, can take players on, and shoots well from distance.”
Bajraktarević earned the “Milwaukee Messi” nickname from teammates during his time with the Revs. He faced the real Messi in October 2024 when Inter Miami visited New England. “He walked by me, and I was looking at him. It was surreal,” Bajraktarević recalled, laughing. That year, he transferred to PSV Eindhoven and helped the Dutch club win two Eredivisie titles, scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 38 appearances. Premier League side Everton is reportedly interested, and a strong World Cup could attract more big clubs.
He made his Bosnia debut in September 2024, assisting Dzeko in a Nations League match against the Netherlands at PSV’s Philips Stadium. He has 14 international caps and was confirmed in the World Cup squad on May 11. His former coach Onalfo described him as a dynamic, game-changing player. Choosing Bosnia over the U.S. was tough, but those close to him weren’t surprised. “He felt he had a clearer path playing for that team,” Onalfo said. “He was born here but is very European.”
Now Bajraktarević is the future of Bosnian football. Bosnia opens against Canada in Toronto on June 12, then faces Switzerland in Los Angeles on June 18, and closes group play against Qatar in Seattle on June 24. His family plans to attend. “He’s an American kid with Bosnian parents who basically helped bring his team to a World Cup happening in the US,” Onalfo added. “It’s pretty awesome. He’s living his dream.”
