Article by Eduard Apostol, Sergiu Alexandru – Published Monday, January 12, 2026, 00:28 / Updated Monday, January 12, 2026 00:38
Came in the summer in the Superliga, Leard Sadriu (24 years old) has become one of the footballers who stands out match by match in the championship. And in an interview for Gazeta Sporturilor, he talked about how he adapted to Romania.
The Kosovar central defender, with 22 matches for FC Argeș, said that he feels great in Romania, that he and his girlfriend like Pitesti and the championship in Romania. And he didn't avoid sensitive topics either. Life in Kosovo after the war and the fact that the “tricolor” ultras who come to the matches of the national team constantly displayed banners with the message “Kosovo is Serbia”.
VIDEO. Leard Sadriu is firm: “At the moment, I'm staying at FC Argeș”
– Hello, Leard. What are the expectations with FC Argeș?
– There is a lot to say, but I will be brief. I was received very well, with open arms by everyone. We worked well in this period and I hope to continue in the same way in the second part.
– Do you think you can catch the play-off?
– If we were talking at the beginning, I would have said that it is difficult. But we were always in the top 6 and we have to keep working to get a place in the play-offs.
– Maybe if you play well you will get a transfer, either to a bigger club or abroad.
– It's a good championship, and if you have a good season, you can take a step forward. Romania has great teams, but I am now focusing on having a good season here. After that, we'll see.
– Are you staying at FC Argeș? We are asking you because there is information of interest from abroad.
– It was about a month ago. They came directly to me, then I told them to talk to the manager and the club. I am only focused on FC Argeș, the rest depends on others. Now I am part of the team from FC Argeș. We'll see what happens, if anything. But as long as I have a contract, I want to respect my club and give everything. The teams have to agree, and that's not up to me.
Leard Sadriu: “Before I came to Romania I thought that I would not be well received. But it was not like that. People are very respectful”
– Do you like Romania?
– Yes, very much. I didn't know much about Romania, but I talked to Rrahmani before I signed. He only said nice words to me and that's why I chose to come. I like it very much. People are very respectful. I didn't think it would be like this, but I'm pleasantly impressed.
– What do you like the most?
– That people are respectful. Respect the work and who you are, not where you come from. This is very important to me. I was part of the national team at that Nations League match when what happened happened. As a player, when something like this happens to you in a country, and then you have the opportunity to move there, you think that maybe they will not receive you in the best way. But it wasn't like that. They received me in the best possible way. At the match Romania – Kosovo was the first time I came here. I don't want to talk about what was there. Then, a few months later, the offer came. I was thinking, “What if they don't take me well?”. But it wasn't like that at all. People are respectful and we owe our success to them. People always come who love the club.
– What don't you like in Romania?
– So far, everything is beautiful. I haven't seen anything I don't like.
– Traffic from Bucharest?
– I forgot about that. But I don't go to Bucharest very often. When I went for the first time, I saw the traffic and since then I don't drive in Bucharest anymore.
– How do you see Romania?
– It's a beautiful country. I can talk more from a football point of view. I like it a lot. They are clubs with good facilities, and that helps the country.
– Who are more beautiful, the women from Romania or those from Kosovo?
– I will surprise you, but the women from Slovenia. My wife is from there, so I have to say Slovenian women. We played there for three years and that's how we met. She also came to Romania and she likes it very much.
“I don't come from a rich family. I was waiting an hour for the bus”
– What was it like to grow up in Kosovo, after the war?
– We are a country raised by war. I was born after the war ended, but every country needs to be rebuilt after the war. And it's still not as it should be. Those were hard times. Now progress is being made. And the clubs are making progress. Back then we didn't have good academies, we didn't have good clubs. People now look at our championship, they care. It's a lot of work. But there is still much to do. This is despite the fact that we have made a lot of progress compared to 20 years ago.
– How was your childhood?
– I didn't come from a rich family. We were a normal family. After the hard time the country had, it was not easy for my parents to support me financially. Like it or not, football costs money. When you have a kid who is chasing his dream, you have to help him. Only father was working. Every day we took the bus to go to practice. We were waiting for an hour. I had to go to school, finish on time and then train. It was hard. There was no one to pick me up and take me away to make it easier. But so it was to be.
– Do you have relatives who took part in the war?
– Yes, yes. Like it or not, you are part of the war when it starts. So does my family. They were in the country when it all started. When we were kids, we used to ask them about what it was like, what life was like in the war.
What is happening in the world now is different from what it was in the past. Technology has made everything a step forward. Now there are wars that begin at night and end by day. And no one sees. I can't say I'm scared. I was born after the war, I didn't feel it. But when I think about what my family went through, I feel sad. And I'm sorry for what's going on in the world right now. Now, in Kosovo, everything is fine.
– Leard Sadriu
“It would be incredible to play the World Cup final at home”
– Do you think that Romania and Kosovo could play again in March?
– It is possible. Anything is possible. But there are many variables. First of all, we have to win our matches. It is not easy for us and for Romania. We play away from home against strong opponents. Romania with Turkey, us with Slovakia. It will be hard. But not impossible. I think it's incredible that we have the chance to play a final to be at the World Cup. I haven't even been to a European one. It's hard to explain what that would mean. We are close to fulfilling our dream, in such a short time. I can't imagine what it would mean to play such a game at home.
– Do you have a message for the Romanian ultras who display the message “Kosovo e Serbia” at live matches?
– This is more about politics and I don't want to enter this area. We are a country! That's why we play and represent our country. We have no other name. We are Kosovo. We have our flag, our history, our identity. We are a country recognized by FIFA and UEFA. If you are not a country, you cannot be part of FIFA and UEFA. If you come to us in the country, you see that we have our identity. We exist! It's not like we don't exist and we call ourselves Kosovo. It is not pleasant to hear these words, considering the war and the history of the country. But I'm not upset. I know who we are, I know we have an identity. That's the reality.
