It’s no secret that today’s athletes are more media savvy and guarded than in any prior era. It’s not that the modern athlete lacks personality, but whatever personality does exist is harder than ever to access.
That’s why, when an athlete comes along that bucks the trend, that gives you the genuine article, warts and all, no matter how many cameras are pointed their way – an Aaron Rodgers, an Angel Reese, a Zlatan Ibrahimovic, for example – they typically become megastars.
Austin might have its own such character in Myrto Uzuni, the Albanian goalscoring machine for whom Austin FC shelled out a reported $12 million to Spanish club Granada over the winter.
Over the weekend, Uzuni netted his first Austin FC goal, the lone score in a 1-0 Verde win against St. Louis City SC on the road. In explaining how the goal, which featured a tremendous assist from ATX winger Osman Bukari, came about, Uzuni gave a glimpse into his unapologetic self-confidence.
“In that moment, with Buka, I was calling him all the time, pass me the ball,” Uzuni said. “Pass me the ball because I’m alone. Don’t put your head down because I’m alone. And Buka listened to me. Because I see better, you know, the game. I read the game better because I see everything.”
I see everything.
Now, if you’re particularly sensitive, you might find a bold statement like that arrogant and off-putting. But it’s not arrogance from Uzuni. It’s an earned sense of belief in oneself that comes from years of hard work, then seeing that hard work pay off on the big stage. Uzuni explained so himself, crystal clear despite some broken English, when he first arrived in Austin.
“I started the football from child, and, of course, growing up training. This was my only solution in my house. So I didn’t have like [a happy childhood]. And the one solution was to be football player, because we were not rich, we were a normal family,” Uzuni said. “I was working hard, dedicated my time on football. I was giving everything. So that’s why I’m today here. It’s not luck, it’s work.”
Uzuni has reason to have pride in his accomplishments. In just three full seasons with Granada, a club with over 90 years of history, he became the club’s all-time top scorer with 49 goals in 106 appearances. And he’s not shy about bringing it up.
“I score a lot of goals. I broke records,” Uzuni stated matter-of-factly at his intro presser.
However, he also made it clear that he has no interest in dwelling on past accomplishments, saying, “My goals are clear, and I want to make history.”
On Sunday he added, “My past learned me to value what I have now. So that’s why I’m giving double on the pitch, and I’m never happy and I’m always angry.”
Uzuni grew up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo, and it’s clear he’s taken notes on how the famously self-confident – though many would argue self-absorbed – Portuguese legend has carried himself throughout his career. Uzuni even earned Ronaldo’s respect in a 2020 Champions League match when Uzuni, then with Hungarian club Ferencváros, scored against Ronaldo’s Juventus and marked the goal with CR7’s signature celebration. The pair swapped shirts after the match.
Over the years, Ronaldo’s egocentric schtick hasn’t always sat well with teammates at his various stops. Uzuni, though, seems to have a good sense of where the line is.
“It’s not about I can be egoist or bring this mentality. This is not a good way to help the team,” Uzuni said. “I want the team to see me [as an] example. So I’m working hard every day, you know, and also I make mistakes. I have to be better every day, so I think the team doesn’t get in the wrong way, because we have to improve everyone, and me first.”
On the contrary, Uzuni’s infectious confidence might be exactly what the doctor ordered for this up-and-coming Austin FC squad.
This article appears in April 4 • 2025.
