Why Vedat Muriqi is One of the Most Underrated Forwards in La Liga
After narrowly escaping relegation by a point in their return to La Liga, many tipped Mallorca to struggle in their second season in Spain’s top-flight. Instead, they finished 15th, seven points clear of the drop, and they also managed to reach the Copa del Rey Final. One player who proved influential was Vedat Muriqi, who finished as their top scorer in the league with seven goals.
Born on April 24, 1994, in Prizren, Kosovo, Muriqi began his career with local club KF Liria, where he displayed his physicality and goal-scoring talents from an early age. Muriqi made his professional debut with Albanian side Teuta Durrës in 2013, then moved to KS Besa Kavajë to further develop his skills.
He moved to Turkey in 2014, where he played for Giresunspor in the TFF First League. In 2016, his solid performances won him a transfer to Gençlerbirliği in the Turkish Süper Lig, bringing him to top-flight football. His strong presence, aerial skill, and hard effort earned him a move to Çaykur Rizespor, where he excelled at scoring goals.
When Javier Aguirre took charge of Mallorca on March 24, 2022, the newly promoted side occupied the bottom three.
Two years later, he has led them to the Copa del Rey Final, where they will take on Athletic Club.@TeoSlehofer analyzes Aguirre’s Mallorca: https://t.co/XwtC6C28wl pic.twitter.com/ovvBVvONFi
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) March 20, 2024
Muriqi’s national team efforts began in earnest after Kosovo was granted FIFA recognition in 2016. He became a significant figure for the national team, scoring important goals and establishing Kosovo’s football identity on the international scene. His performances in critical UEFA Nations League matches and European qualifying contributed significantly to Kosovo’s international success.
He then moved to Fenerbahçe, one of Turkey’s major clubs, in 2019, and his reputation skyrocketed. His success in Turkey won him a transfer to Lazio in Serie A. Although his time in Italy was difficult, he remained an important player for Kosovo. Muriqi joined RCD Mallorca in 2022, where he continues to thrive, balancing club and national team commitments with determination and expertise.
In this player analysis piece, we will look into the player’s playing style, strengths and what makes one of the rarest old-school forwards in world football. Data marking for the player has been highlighted in “Gold” for easier identification in all the visualizations used in this piece.
Vedat Muriqi’s playing style is marked by his physical presence, aerial domination, and unwavering work ethic, making him a distinct and vital attacker despite not having the most outstanding statistics production. Muriqi stands 1.94 meters (6’4″) tall and is a classic target man who excels at controlling the ball and generating opportunities for his teammates.
His ability to use his body efficiently helps him to protect the ball from defenders while also linking up play, which is an important trait for teams who rely on a focal point in attack. Muriqi’s aerial ability is one of his most notable strengths. He frequently wins headers in the box, whether from open play or set pieces, posing a continuous danger in aerial duels. His movement and placement are astute, frequently dragging defenders out of position and making room for others.
While his goal-scoring numbers may not always be high, his contributions extend beyond simply finishing. He is good at pressing high up the pitch, spoiling opponents’ build-up play, and putting pressure on defenders. Muriqi’s resilience and mental fortitude also distinguish him.
He thrives in physical engagements and never backs down from a confrontation, and his ability to impact the game without relying only on goals makes him an invaluable asset, especially for clubs in need of a strong and selfless striker.
Muriqi may not have the goal-scoring figures to compete with the league’s finest strikers, and the shot map demonstrates that numbers aren’t everything in a game. All of his goals have come from inside the box, but what distinguishes him as a complete player is his positioning to take the shot.
There is an unspoken belief that a proper forward is a player who is always positioned in between the posts to make dangerous runs, and the shot map once again demonstrates that over 90% of his shots have come from the line of the posts in and out of the penalty area.
Vedat Muriqi’s physical attributes substantially improve his attacking performance. Standing 1.94 meters tall, his height and power make him a formidable force in aerial duels, which are essential for heading goals and winning long balls. His powerful frame allows him to successfully hold the ball, shielding it from defenders and connecting up play, which is critical for developing attacks.
Muriqi’s strength also makes him a continuous threat in set-piece situations, acting as both a scorer and a decoy. His ability to survive physical engagements allows him to thrive in high-pressure, hotly contested scenarios, offering diversity to his team’s offensive strategy.
Vedat Muriqi’s contributions in midfield and build-up play extend beyond goal scoring, as he plays an important role in his team’s attacking transitions. Although Muriqi is predominantly a striker, he frequently drops deeper to connect up play, making himself accessible for progressive passes and assisting in the build-up.
His ability to handle the ball and his strong first touch allows him to control difficult passes and help his team advance up the pitch. His touches in the final third are critical for putting pressure on opposition defences, and the quantity of passes he receives from advanced positions demonstrates his involvement in progressive play.
Muriqi’s progressive passes, while fewer than typical playmakers, are frequently direct and forward-thinking, aiming at breaking down defences. He makes vital passes when he brings others into play, particularly wingers or overlapping fullbacks. His passes into the final third frequently come from wide areas or after holding up the ball to allow his teammates to advance.
However, Muriqi’s physical approach and proclivity to engage in duels sometimes lead to blunders. He is sometimes dispossessed in high-pressure situations, and his enormous bulk can cause occasional miscontrols. Despite these occasions, his overall contribution to the build-up remains significant, especially in teams that take a more direct approach.
Vedat Muriqi’s defensive role is frequently underestimated, although his work ethic and physical fitness enable him to press hard throughout the game. Despite being a striker, Muriqi spends a lot of time pressing high up the pitch, using his bulk and strength to disturb opposition defenders and force mistakes.
His ability to engage in duels, both on the ground and in the air, allows him to regain possession or compel opponents to make rushed clearances. Muriqi’s aerial abilities are important not just in offense but also in defence. He frequently contributes to set pieces, winning headers in defensive situations, particularly against taller opponents.
Moreover, his good positioning enables him to make crucial interceptions while dropping back to assist his team in defence. His great fitness level allows him to maintain this intensity throughout the match, trailing back when necessary and recovering swiftly to resume the attack. Muriqi’s willingness to fight physical fights and press fiercely strengthens his team’s defensive resilience, making him more than just a goal scorer.
Overall, Vedat Muriqi is an excellent example of an underestimated player whose talents extend beyond basic stats. His physicality, work rate, and tactical acumen make him an invaluable asset to any club, even if his goal-scoring numbers are not always high.
Muriqi’s ability to hold the ball, press relentlessly, and win aerial duels gives his team a dynamic advantage. His defensive work, eagerness to engage in duels, and ability to disturb opponents high on the pitch demonstrate his dedication, making him far more than just a target man.
Despite his talents, Muriqi’s flaws include occasional mis control and occasions when he becomes dispossessed under pressure. However, these deficiencies are frequently overlooked by his overall impact on the game, demonstrating that football is more than just goals and assists.
Olivier Giroud and Edin Džeko have a similar playing style, flourishing as muscular and cerebral attackers who contribute beyond statistics. They, like Muriqi, are frequently underrated despite playing critical roles in the success of their teams.
These players leave hope for beautiful football, demonstrating that success is not always defined by goals but rather by a player’s total contribution to the flow of the game. They demonstrate that effective link-up play, defensive work, and off-ball movement may all be equally vital in preserving the essence of the sport, in which collaboration and tactical intelligence triumph over pure statistics.
By: Sive Vishwa / @sive_vishwa
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images