Esmir Bajraktarević's shootout heroics send Bosnia to World Cup, highlight Revolution academy success

Esmir Bajraktarević scored the decisive penalty in a shootout against Italy in March 2026, sending Bosnia and Herzegovina to their second-ever World Cup and capping a meteoric rise that began with the New England Revolution's youth academy. The 21-year-old forward, whose parents fled Bosnia during the war, left Wisconsin in 2021 to join the Revolution's residential academy program. Within a year he earned a Homegrown contract, made his first-team debut in May 2022, and became a full-time starter by 2024 before being sold to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for up to $6 million.

Bajraktarević's talent was evident from the start. Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo and youth development director Rob Becerra were convinced after just 15 minutes of an in-person trial. His aggressive, fearless style earned him the nickname "Milwaukee Messi," and he completed a nutmeg in his first MLS start. He also appeared for the U.S. Men's National Team before committing to Bosnia, the birthplace of his parents.

His game-winning penalty against Italy — which saw him start a World Cup qualifier alongside former Revolution teammate Tajon Buchanan — represents a crowning achievement for both player and club. "What’s really neat about someone like Esmir is that pride is not singular," Becerra said. "It’s not only the academy. It’s not only the second team. It’s not only the first team. It’s all of us."

The Revolution's youth development program has become a model for nurturing talent. After ranking among the weakest in MLS when Onalfo arrived in 2019, the academy improved to second in U.S. Soccer Collective's 2025 report. Recent windows saw six first- and second-team players called into youth national teams. "It’s a sign that we’re getting better in that space and we just have to keep pushing," Onalfo said.

Bajraktarević's journey underscores the Revolution's commitment to player development. "When we meet with certain players ... it is a proof of concept," Onalfo explained. "Also, agents end up bringing you more players because of that. So there’s definitely a lot to that."