The President of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, sent a video message of congratulations for the “Golden Ball” Gala Evening 2024, being held at the National Theater of Opera and Ballet. In this prestigious event, Ceferin greeted all the attendees and praised the successes achieved by the Albanian Football Association during 2024.
He described 2024 as an extraordinary period for Albanian football and highlighted two major events that will be organized by AFA in 2025: UEFA Euro U-17 “Albania 2025” and the UEFA Executive Committee meeting.
Below is the full message of the President of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin:
“Dear Prime Minister Rama, dear President Duka, esteemed friends, colleagues of the Albanian Football Association, dear friends!
Today we are gathered to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the Albanian Football Association in 2024. A year that undoubtedly showed us how the strength of determination, teamwork, and perseverance can lead to remarkable success.
From the electrifying performances of your national teams to the continued development of grassroots football, the year we left behind was inspiring for the entire nation, bringing moments of joy and pride to millions of Albanians around the world.
The cherry on top of the campaign was participation in UEFA EURO 2024, where Albania stood strong in the “group of death” against the eventual winners, Spain, Italy, and Croatia.
Each match felt like a final, and the love from the stands showed just how much the fans valued the efforts of your players.
This success did not come by accident but reflected the immense commitment and dedication behind the scenes, and for this, we express our deepest gratitude and admiration to the Albanian Football Association and its President, Armand Duka.
Dear Armand, if I have learned anything from our friendship, I am certain that your focus is already on what comes next. In 2025, we come with great ambition and optimism, with two major events: the UEFA Euro U-17 Championship in May and the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in September in Albania.
I am confident that you will carry these out perfectly, showcasing excellent organizational skills and the world known Albanian hospitality.
The road ahead is full of opportunities, but you must believe and stay strong in your vision to nurture new talents, strengthen your clubs, and elevate Albanian football to even greater heights on the global stage.
Rest assured, you will always have a reliable partner like UEFA.
Let us aim higher, work harder, and dream more for the future of football in Albania and Europe.
I wish you another year filled with success, growth, and excellent football.”
