From teammates to rivals: Albania's Djimsiti and Bajrami set for RSL showdown

From the streets of Zurich to the stadiums of Italy, and from international teammates to rivals in Saudi Arabia, Berat Djimsiti and Nedim Bajrami have spent much of their footballing lives following remarkably similar paths.

Born in Switzerland to families of Albanian heritage, the pair came through the same youth academy, represented the same two countries and forged successful careers in European football before making the move to the Roshn Saudi League.

Now, those parallel journeys are about to intersect in a new way.

When Diriyah Club host Al Taawoun in Matchweek 9 of the 2026-27 RSL, Albania captain Djimsiti and international teammate Bajrami will find themselves on opposite sides, adding another chapter to a shared footballing story that stretches back more than two decades.

Djimsiti, 33, joined newly promoted Diriyah Club in the summer following a decade with Italian Serie A side Atalanta, while Bajrami, 27, arrived at Al Taawoun after spells in Italy and Scotland. Currently, he is on loan from Scottish giants Rangers.

The two were teammates as recently as June, when Albania hosted Luxembourg in an international friendly at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana. By then, Bajrami had completed his move to Al Taawoun, with Djimsiti's transfer to Diriyah Club confirmed shortly afterwards.

Yet their intertwined careers extend well beyond the national team.

Both were born in Zurich to families of Albanian heritage, their backgrounds reflecting the generations of migration that established significant Albanian communities across Switzerland.

Bajrami grew up in Regensdorf, just outside Zurich, where he began playing football with friends at the age of six, initially with little expectation that the game would eventually become his profession.

His family's story is one of determination and sacrifice. Recalling his grandfather's immigration in search of work, Bajrami said: "He came to Switzerland alone by train at a very young age; he worked here without speaking German, and my mother later joined him."

Education was also an important part of Bajrami's upbringing. Alongside his football development, he completed a two-year vocational qualification in maintenance and operations, providing an alternative career path had his ambitions in the sport not materialised.

Those aspirations began taking shape at Grasshoppers, where Bajrami progressed through the youth ranks of the renowned Zurich side.

It was a familiar pathway for Djimsiti, who had developed at Grasshoppers several years earlier.

Both players initially represented Switzerland at youth level before committing their senior futures to Albania. Djimsiti made the switch in 2015, followed by Bajrami in 2021.

Their club careers would also take them to Italy, where both established themselves.

Djimsiti became a key figure at Atalanta, spending a decade with the Bergamo club, including loan spells at Avellino and Benevento.

During his time at Atalnata, the defender developed a strong connection with the city and its people.

"I certainly feel like I belong to Bergamo and am part of its community," Djimsiti said. "They are incredibly hardworking, honest, and willing to make great sacrifices. That resonates perfectly with my own character, so I feel it is like a second home to me."

Bajrami's route to the RSL also passed through Italian football. After leaving Grasshoppers for Empoli, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2020, the attacking midfielder went on to represent Sassuolo.

A subsequent move to Rangers preceded his arrival in Buraidah, where he spent two seasons.

Despite their similar backgrounds, the two Albanians have latterly taken different routes to the Kingdom, where on Saturday they will line up on opposing sides at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh.

Djimsiti brings experience and leadership to a Diriyah Club side looking to establish themselves in the top flight following their historic promotion, while Bajrami adds creativity and attacking quality to an Al Taawoun in need of a jolt.

Their Round 9 encounter will also add another chapter to Albania's connection with Saudi football.

That relationship stretches back to 2010, when Albania international Migjen Memelli signed for Al Faisaly. The striker subsequently represented Al Taawoun before returning to Al Faisaly.

More than 15 years later, the RSL is home to another generation of Albanian talent, with Djimsiti Bajrami - and Al Ittihad's Mario Mitaj, at present on loan at Serie A's Genoa - continuing that connection.

For Djimsiti and Bajrami, though, international friendship will take a back seat when Diriyah Club and Al Taawoun meet.

After years of following parallel paths, the two Albanians are finally set to cross them as rivals.