Shkodran Mustafi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi training with Arsenal in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Shkodran Mustafi
Date of birth	(1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 33)
Place of birth	Bad Hersfeld, Germany
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Youth career
2000–2004	1. FV Bebra
2004–2006	SV Rotenburg
2006–2009	Hamburger SV
2009	Everton
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2012	Everton	0	(0)
2012–2014	Sampdoria	51	(1)
2014–2016	Valencia	64	(6)
2016–2021	Arsenal	102	(7)
2021	Schalke 04	13	(1)
2021–2023	Levante	14	(2)
Total		244	(17)
International career
2008	Germany U16	5	(0)
2008–2009	Germany U17	24	(5)
2009–2010	Germany U18	6	(1)
2010–2011	Germany U19	9	(2)
2011–2013	Germany U20	10	(3)
2013	Germany U21	7	(0)
2014–2017	Germany	20	(2)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 2014 Brazil FIFA Confederations Cup Winner 2017 Russia UEFA European Under-17 Championship Winner 2009 Germany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Shkodran Mustafi (born on April 17, 1992) is a German former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defensive position in football.

Mustafi started his football journey in youth teams like Hamburger SV in Germany and Everton in England. He later played for several big clubs across Europe. These included Sampdoria in Italy, Valencia in Spain, and Arsenal in England. He also played for Schalke 04 in Germany and Levante in Spain.

He was also a part of the German national team. With Germany, he helped them win the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. He also played in the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament. Mustafi retired from playing football in June 2024. He became an assistant coach for the German Under-17 national team.

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Shkodran Mustafi was born in Bad Hersfeld, Germany. His family came from Gostivar in North Macedonia. He began playing football at a young age. He joined the youth system of 1. FC Bebra. Later, he played for SV Rotenburg before moving to Hamburger SV's youth team in 2006.

Time at Everton

Mustafi playing for Everton in 2011

In May 2009, Mustafi joined Everton in England. He started in their academy team. He made his first professional appearance for Everton on December 16, 2009. This was in a UEFA Europa League match against BATE Borisov. Even though he was often on the bench, he did not play many more games for Everton.

Moving to Sampdoria

In January 2012, Mustafi moved to Italy. He joined Sampdoria, a team in Serie B at the time. He moved for free because he wanted more chances to play. His first game for Sampdoria was on May 26, 2012. Sampdoria then moved up to Serie A, Italy's top league. Mustafi scored his first professional goal on October 26, 2013. This goal helped Sampdoria win against Atalanta.

Playing for Valencia

Mustafi playing for Valencia in 2015

On August 7, 2014, Mustafi signed a five-year contract with Valencia CF. This team plays in La Liga, Spain's top football league. He made his debut for Valencia on September 25. He scored his first goal for the team a month later against Elche. In the next game, he scored two goals against Villarreal. This helped Valencia reach second place in the league.

In March 2016, Mustafi received a red card in a game against Barcelona. Valencia lost that game 7–0.

Time at Arsenal

Mustafi joined Arsenal in England on August 30, 2016. The transfer fee was reported to be over £35 million. He made his first appearance for Arsenal on September 10 in a Premier League match. He had a great start, staying unbeaten for 18 games with the club. This broke a club record.

On January 22, 2017, he scored his first goal for Arsenal against Burnley. He won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2017 and 2020. He also played in the EFL Cup final in 2018 and the UEFA Europa League final in 2019. Mustafi left Arsenal on February 1, 2021, after his contract ended.

Later Career Clubs

After Arsenal, Mustafi returned to Germany. He joined Schalke 04 on February 1, 2021. He played 13 games for them and scored one goal.

On September 2, 2021, Mustafi went back to Spain. He signed a two-year deal with Levante. He faced several injuries during his time there. He played 11 games in his first season as the team was relegated. His contract ended in July 2023. He then retired from playing football in June 2024 to become a coach.

International Career

Mustafi celebrating Germany's victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Mustafi could play for Germany, North Macedonia, or Albania. He chose to play for Germany, the country where he was born. He played for Germany's youth teams. With the Under-17 team, he won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

He made his debut for the senior German national team on May 13, 2014, in a friendly match against Poland.

World Cup and Confederations Cup Success

Mustafi was chosen for Germany's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He came on as a substitute in Germany's first game against Portugal. He also started a game against Algeria. However, he got an injury in that match and could not play for the rest of the World Cup. Germany went on to win the tournament!

He was also part of the German team that won the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. He played in UEFA Euro 2016 as well. In Germany's first match of Euro 2016, he scored his first goal for the national team against Ukraine. His last international game was in October 2017.

In 2016, Mustafi was even featured as a collectible Lego minifigure as part of a special series for the German football team.

Personal Life

Shkodran Mustafi is an Albanian from Gostivar, North Macedonia. He grew up in Germany and has both Albanian and German citizenship. He is a Muslim. In July 2016, he married Vjosa Kaba, an Albanian model. They have a daughter named Noemi, born in July 2017, and a son named Amar, born in January 2019.

International Statistics

Mustafi played 20 games for the German national team and scored 2 goals.

Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Mustafi goal.

List of international goals scored by Shkodran Mustafi

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	12 June 2016	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France	11	Ukraine	1–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 2016
2	10 June 2017	Stadion Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany	16	San Marino	5–0	7–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Trophies and Awards

Mustafi holding the FIFA World Cup Trophy at Germany's victory parade in Berlin

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2016–17, 2019–20
• EFL Cup runner-up: 2017–18
• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018–19

Germany U17

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2009

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 2014
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017

See also

In Spanish: Shkodran Mustafi para niños