It’s not all that often that a new country is represented in the Atlanta United squad for the first time, but Enea Mihaj did just that. The defender is the first Albanian national to ever play for the 5-Stripes’ First Team. He takes that pride with him wherever he goes, and he’s eager to make his name household here in Atlanta.
Mihaj joined Atlanta United from FC Famalicão in Portugal after earning consistent play time and being named club captain there, but his time playing in Europe runs further than that. He came up through the academy ranks in Greece and played in European competitions like the UEFA Conference League with Greek club PAOK. He brings that pedigree and leadership experience across the Atlantic Ocean to Atlanta.
The club’s first new signing of the Secondary Transfer Window in 2025 has now had some time to assimilate to a new lifestyle in the United States and new team in the 5-Stripes. We sat down with the defender to learn more about the personality behind a player 17s will get to know well over the coming seasons:
Do you remember your earliest memory of playing football?
The first academy that I participated in. It was small field five-to-five. It was nice. I was playing all different positions.
Who is standing out in the locker room so far as someone you’re getting along well with?
All of the guys are friendly to me. All of them are really close to me.
If you weren’t a professional footballer, what would you be doing and why?
Something related to nature. I don’t know exactly what, but I like nature. I relate to nature.
How did growing up in Greece affect you as you were growing up with the game of football?
In Greece, they are hard workers. The players, they really want to succeed. It’s also something that comes from my country. There are players that are always hungry to succeed and to work. That’s what affected me from Greece.
Since you’re in the United States for the first time in your life, what are you most looking forward to doing in the States?
I try to understand the people, what they are thinking, how are their lives. Also, in Atlanta, I’m looking forward to visiting nice parks.
If your wife were to lose you in a grocery store, where would she be most likely to find you?
If she loses me, I’m probably out of the store. [There’s] something I don’t like there, so I go out.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My kid.
You’re a new father and have been balancing that with a move to the States and your start with a new club. How are you balancing all those obligations?
It’s a hard thing, but my wife mainly is doing great. From my side, I’m trying when I go home to help playing with my son.
What are some of your prematch rituals?
[I do] some reading, sometimes analyzing specific things for the opponent and making some visualization about what I’m going to find in the game.
What’s one of your go-to meals?
Chicken and pasta the day of the game. The day before, sweet potatoes, chicken, beef or fish.
You were a captain at your previous club, FC Famalicão. Why do you think you were given that honor?
Because in the hard moments I was there, and the good moments I was behind [the club].
Who are your idols, whether in football or life in general?
Kobe Bryant and Sergio Ramos.
You’ve lived all over throughout your career; how many languages have you picked up along the way?
I understand Spanish and speak some words, but not many things. [I speak] Greek, Albanian, English and Portuguese.
What pride to you carry as an Albanian?
Huge pride. I feel proud from my parents, because they had to move to another country to give a better life to me. That’s something that makes me feel proud for them and the country [I’m from]. We are a small country in numbers, but we’re people who look, in football and in life, to get better. That’s something that makes me proud.
What are some of your favorite memories playing with the Albanian national team?
My favorite was a game against Poland in qualification for Euros. The second one was when we played against Italy in the Euros. I wasn’t in the starting XI, but it was something unbelievable.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Analyze your games, analyze other games. Watch football, try to learn from football with everything.
What do you want 17s to know about you?
That I’m here to give everything for them and for the club to make them proud.
Atlanta United's host Joe Freihofer conducted the interview for this article.
