Arjan Hametaj (1957 – ) the stoic centerback of the FK Partizan!
The Champions of Albanian Football!
“The bad boy” with number 4!
Hametaj was born on July 1, 1957, in Tirana to a family from Vlorë.
Coming from the elite teams, raised and “sculpted” as a defender in the Partizan red school, Arjan Hametaj became one of the unrivaled center backs of Albanian football during the 1980s.
Stoic, tireless energy, a strict marker and a zone cleaner, making the position of goalkeeper and at the same time his friend, Perlat Musta easier! Hametaj felt safe with the presence of Musta and vice versa Perlati with the presence of Arjan. But the Party (PPSH) did not, it did not feel calm with such guys like Arjani! “Byroja” did not want footballers with “foreign appearances”(shfaqje te huaja borgjeze) but educated boys, so the presence of Arjan, although he was a defender of European level, with the “National” representative would be limited to other guys ideals molded by communist education.
Hametaj never “betrayed” the red Partizan jersey, wearing it from the 1979-1980 to the 1989-1990 season! With Partizan, he managed to win the Champion title twice: 1980-1981 and 1987-1988 and the Republic Cup only once in 1979-1980!
At the time of beginning of `80-ties, Partizan’s defensive sector, S. Berisha, K. Hysi, A. Hametaj, became an impassable barricade, kind of Chinese wall, when young Hametaj himself was a already a strong, sculpted bone, a defender who “shortened opponents’ legs” and it was better to be on his side then against him!
Hametaj also became one of the central pillars of the Albanian national defense, deputizing in September 1982 in the match against Austria in Vienna, for the qualifiers for the European Championship France `84. His last match with the national team was in 1985 in a friendly against Turkey, playing only 10 matches with the red and black jersey.
He also played 3 matches for the Champions Cup and one match for the Cup Winners’ Cup with Partizan. He made his debut at the age of 22 in the Champions Cup on October 3, 1979.
Arjan Hametaj became the victim of a murder when a woman involved but still under unclear circumstances of the event!
© Pjerin Bj – New York: February 9, 2026
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