“This means everything to me.”
“This means everything to me.”
That was the response when Besart Berisha was asked what it means to him to represent Brisbane Roar in this weekend-s Hyundai A-League Grand Final – a game he-s referring to as the biggest of his nine year professional career.
The Albanian had ping-ponged through football clubs in Europe, playing for teams in Germany, England and Denmark before he was noticed by Brisbane Roar assistant coach Rado Vidosic at German second division club Arminia Bielefeld last year.
Vidosic was in town visiting son Dario – a teammate of Berisha at the time – and played a vital role in the signing of the striker, whose record showed that when fit and handed regular game time, he was hard to stop in front of goal.
And now, Berisha has a chance to make history.
He-s already collected the Hyundai A-League Golden Boot gong with his 19-goal haul in the regular season but he-s got his sights set on something bigger – the Championship trophy.
His yearn for success is even greater given he missed out on the Roar-s commanding success in the 2010/11 season.
“This is my biggest game,” he said.
“For me, it-s special because I-ve never had a chance to win a title.
“I-m really burning and I want to get that title in my hand.”
He-s been in Australia less than twelve months but there-s no denying the passion Berisha has for his adopted hometown and the club that gave him a chance to revive his football career at a point he wasn-t sure what would come next.
Berisha has quickly become a crowd favourite at Suncorp Stadium and it-s clear to see the affection is reciprocated.
“To play for these supporters in Queensland and Brisbane, it-s special and I-m really looking forward to it especially now that I heard that Suncorp Stadium is filled up,” he said.
“This is the club who brought my happiness back in football and now its time to say thanks.
“From my side, I will try everything to win the title and celebrate with the Brisbane supporters.
“I-m really looking forward to seeing the orange stadium.”
The only dampener on the day is the fact that Berisha-s family, including wife Sumea and two-year-old son Amar who left Brisbane for Europe last month, won-t be at Suncorp Stadium to support their loved one in person.
But Berisha was confident their support from afar would be enough.
“They will not be here but they will watch the game in Germany,” he said.
“For sure, my son will wear his Brisbane shirt and I hope he will be proud to see me on the TV.
“It-s a special moment for me in my life and also for my family, the chance to win a title.
“I-ve waited a really long time for this.
“Everybody in my family will be watching because they know how important this night is for the A-League.
“Every footballer wants to play in a game like this and every footballer wants to win.
“They will watch and they will bring me luck.”
