Aro Muric, the Kosovo international goalkeeper, has had an extraordinary 2024, marking a milestone in his career with remarkable performances in the English Premier League. After his highly anticipated debut with Burnley, Muric went on to shine with Ipswich Town in the latter part of the year, showcasing his exceptional skills in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
Known for his consistent and reliable performances, Muric has earned widespread praise, frequently receiving top ratings, even achieving a rare 10/10 rating for a goalkeeper on various sports evaluation platforms.
In the summer of 2024, Muric made a significant move to Ipswich Town, a decision seen as an opportunity for more game time and further development. At just 26 years old, he joined a team that believed in his abilities and entrusted him with the keys to their goal.
Reflecting on his remarkable year, Muric considers it his best yet, though he remains hopeful for even greater achievements ahead. “It has been a good year, perhaps one of my best, but I believe better years will come,” he shared in an exclusive interview with Telegrafi.
Muric, the only Kosovo representative playing in the Premier League, expressed his pride in representing his country. “To play in the best league in the world and represent my country is a great pleasure for me,” he said.
Though he’s had standout performances, he refrains from singling out a specific match as a favorite, as he is proud of all his appearances. Even when mistakes have been made, Muric has bounced back with incredible saves, thanks to the ongoing support from Ipswich’s coach Kieran McKenna and the rest of the coaching staff.
Regarding his time with Kosovo’s national team, Muric highlighted the difficulties they faced in 2024 but emphasized their determination to reach their goals. “It was a tough start, but we will achieve our goals if everyone is committed, and by commitment, I mean dedication on the field,” he explained.
Muric also addressed the unfortunate incident in Romania, where a match between Romania and Kosovo was interrupted due to racist chants. He firmly stated, “We will never allow anyone to disrespect our state, no matter the consequences.”
Looking ahead, Kosovo’s national team will face two crucial matches against Iceland in March 2025, aiming for promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League. Muric believes they have the potential to win these matches. “We have a tough opponent that deserves respect, but we are Kosovo, we have a lot of quality in our squad, and we need to win to move to League B,” he said.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Muric’s team has faced the Swiss national team three times without suffering a loss. Kosovo is set to play two more matches against Switzerland in the 2025 World Cup qualifiers, with Muric confident in their chances. “Of course, we can leave them at home. We’ve shown in recent games that we can compete, and it’s good that we haven’t been defeated. We’ll do everything to maintain the same momentum and take our country to the World Cup,” he said.
Despite the praise, Muric also faces criticism but takes it in stride, seeing it as an opportunity to learn and improve. “It wouldn’t be interesting without criticism, so it doesn’t bother me. I can learn from criticism, and I always take it as a challenge, which impacts me only positively,” he noted.
Looking ahead to 2025, Muric’s primary goal remains to continue working hard and improving every aspect of his game. “I just want to work for myself and improve in every possible way every day,” he concluded.
