Medon Berisha

Early life and youth career

Berisha was born in Münsingen, Switzerland to Kosovar Albanian parents from Kaçanik. He started playing football at the age of five. Berisha began his youth football career with Bern 1894, where he developed his early skills and played until the age of 15. He moved and developed his skills in the youth academy of BSC Young Boys in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, where he progressed through several age groups and gained attention for his technical ability and vision on the field. He managed to play consecutively for U-17, U-18 and U-19 teams within two years, scoring several goals, especially during the 2019–20 U-18 League where he recorded 14 goals in 28 appearances, before eventually debuting as a senior in September 2021 with the Young Boys under-21 team in 2021–22 Promotion League, the third tier of the Swiss football system, where he also scored.

Lecce

In early 2022, Berisha joined the youth academy of Italian club Lecce, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising attacking midfielders in the Primavera squad. He contributed with 13 appearances, scoring 2 goals. After impressing at youth level, he was promoted to the first team ahead of the 2022–23 season. In August 2022, Berisha received his first senior call-ups for matches in the Coppa Italia against Cittadella and in Serie A against Inter, remaining an unused substitute in both games. He was a regular starter throughout the 2022–23 Primavera 1…

Berisha was initially called up by the Albania U19 squad; however, due to bureaucratic issues in obtaining his Albanian passport, he represented Kosovo at U21 level, making a few appearances for their youth side. Once his Albanian citizenship process was completed, Albania U20 and U21 coach, Alban Bushi, initially called him up to the Albania U20 squad, and later to the Albania U21 squad, offering him the captaincy, which he accepted, leading the team during the qualification for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he scored 2 goals in process. On 27 May 2024, Berisha received his first senior call-up from coach Sylvinho for Albania's preliminary UEFA Euro 2024 squad. He made his senior debut on 3 June 2024 in a 3–0 friendly win over Liechtenstein, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute for Jasir Asani. During the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage tournament, Berisha made his competitive debut for Albania in the match against Spain, coming on as a second-half substitute. At 20 years, 8 months and 3 days old, he became the youngest player ever to appear for Albania in a European Championship, breaking the previous record held by Mario Mitaj.

Berisha's natural position is central midfielder but he can also play as a left winger and is known for his passing ability.

Berisha is of Albanian descent and has roots in Kosovo. He acquired Albanian citizenship in August 2023. He has stated that he grew up supporting FC Barcelona and admires Lionel Messi.