When Esmir Bajraktarević booted in the match-winning penalty kick March 31 to send Bosnia and Herzegovina into the World Cup for the first time since 2014, the world was put on notice to something soccer aficionados in Wisconsin have known for a long time – Bajraktarević is a rising star.
“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” Bajraktarević told Fox Sports of his winning goal. “It was like a dream come true.”
Thousands of miles away in Wisconsin, watching at their home in Neenah, former Marquette University soccer standout Kevin Wasco and his family were glued to the TV as Bajraktarević clinched the victory.
“You should have seen it. We were watching the game and all my family, when he made that goal, we all lost it,” said Wasco, who became emotional again as he relived the moment.
Esmir Bajraktarević already a legend in Bosnia
Bajraktarević, who has been called the “Milwaukee Messi” and already has been referred to as a Bosnian icon at the age of 21, was born and raised in Appleton.
His parents, Elmir and Emina, grew up in Bosnia but left the war-torn country in 2001 and came to the United States, eventually settling in the Fox Cities.
As 3-year-old Esmir was tagging along with his father to men’s soccer league games, he struck up an instant friendship with Liam Wasco, who likewise was tagging along with his dad, Kevin.
As the Bajraktarević family was adjusting to their new life in the United States and noticing their youngest son’s obvious soccer talents, they asked Kevin Wasco and his family to help mentor Esmir.
“His dad is a great guy,” Kevin Wasco said of Elmir. “They noticed that Liam and Esmir were playing all the time. He wanted to know how [Esmir] could play in leagues and stuff like that. He could never do that, could never make it. So he started asking my wife and I if we could help him with school and in soccer. Liam and Esmir, from that moment on, they became inseparable.”
The youngsters played soccer together in Appleton, but pretty soon it was clear they needed a bigger challenge.
“It was kind of funny because they would always play with the kids and, for the first couple of years, they’d be getting beat up by the older kids,” Kevin said. “Then the older kids after a couple years would come home crying, ‘Those two kids are too good.’ And Esmir was special. Liam was good, but Esmir was special.”
Their soccer journey would take them to club teams in the Milwaukee area, with Kevin usually driving the boys and his own soccer-playing daughters, sometimes making multiple trips in the same day with different players loaded in the vehicle.
“Liam was doing well and he was going to do well, but Esmir was fantastic,” Kevin said.
Esmir Bajraktarević rose quickly through the soccer ranks
When Esmir was 16, it was clear the time had come to elevate his game at the next level and the decision was made to take his talents to Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.
Kevin had connections with the Revolution, including Kris Kelderman from his hometown of Neenah who had played for the Revolution and now is the head coach at UW-Milwaukee, and Curt Onalfo, who is the club’s top soccer executive.
“They had heard about him a little bit and it became clear that they wanted him,” Kevin said.
Esmir joined the New England Revolution Academy in August 2021 as part of the club’s residency program and moved up quickly. He rose from the youth ranks to the first-team roster in less than a year, becoming the first graduate of the Revolution Academy’s residency program to make the first team.
His MLS debut came with the Revolution in 2022, appearing in three games. He played 13 games with New England in 2023 and 29 games in 2024.
Esmir earned the opportunity to play for the United States senior side in an exhibition against Slovenia in January 2024, which many thought was a precursor to him playing for the U.S. World Cup team.
“Unfortunately, depending on who you believe, they backed out on him,” Kevin said.
A short time later, Esmir committed to playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina in its attempt to qualify for the World Cup. In August 2024, the world soccer’s governing body FIFA approved his request to switch allegiances and a month later he made his debut.
The mini controversy with the U.S. team may not have mattered anyway, since playing for Bosnia is what Esmir and his family likely wanted all along.
“His dad always wanted him to go play ball at Bosnia,” Kevin said. “The truth of the matter is he wanted to play for Bosnia, and that’s fine. They’re a very proud people. Amazing people.”
Esmir, who joined the Dutch sports club PSV Eindhoven from the Revolution in January 2025, affirmed his feelings about playing for Bosnia in an interview with ESPN Netherlands in February.
“It’s just very proud for me every time I play for Bosnia,” he told ESPN Netherlands. “It’s a different feeling. It’s where my parents come from and it’s what I always thought of myself as – as a Bosnian. It’s the best feeling.
“In heart, I always knew since I was little that it was going to be Bosnia at the end of the day. There’s videos of me wearing [Bosnian legend] Edin Džeko’s jerseys growing up. He was my favorite player growing up, and it’s just something you dream of.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina opens group stage play in the World Cup on June 12 vs. Canada in Toronto, plays June 18 vs. Switzerland in Inglewood, California, and finishes group play vs. Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.
“He’s going to step up,” Kevin said. “He’s so proud of his country. He’s proud to be an American, too. But after all his parents went through in Sarajevo in the early 1990s, he’s extra focused.”
Esmir Bajraktarević’s hometown proud of his accomplishments
Back home in the Fox Cities, those who got to know Esmir even a little bit as he was a rising soccer star are watching with pride.
Appleton North High School teacher Greg Huenink, who taught Esmir in world history class when he was a sophomore before he’d eventually finish high school with online classes, said Esmir was a quiet, but good student.
“We were able to talk soccer here and there when he was here in my room,” said Huenink, who also taught Esmir’s older sister, Elma. “His commitment to all of the travel he was already doing while also taking care of his academic responsibilities was admirable for a young man his age. It’s definitely a testament to his family upbringing.”
Huenink said he has bought almost all of Esmir’s jerseys – he’s still working on getting his Bosnia kit – and he posts pictures in his classroom and shares them with Esmir on social media.
“He’ll occasionally respond with a note of thanks,” Huenink said. “I’m very proud of his success.”
Nate Werner, a longtime soccer coach in the Fox Cities and the principal at Appleton North since 2023, coached Esmir’s older brother, Osman, at the varsity level and was familiar with Esmir at a young age.
“I do remember his dad telling me that Osman’s younger brother, Esmir, would probably be the best player in the family,” Werner said. “He ended up being right.”
For Kevin Wasco, watching Esmir’s success after helping serve as one of his soccer mentors for all these years, is something he cherishes.
“The family is really proud,” Kevin said, “and I couldn’t be more proud.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin native Esmir Bajraktarević shines on soccer’s biggest stage
Reporting by Mike Sherry, Appleton Post-Crescent / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Sherry, Appleton Post-Crescent | USA TODAY Network
