I was playing in NINTH tier after following Saka’s route into football – now I want to upstage Arsenal star at Wembley

ANIS MEHMETI is on a mission to follow in Bukayo Saka’s footsteps  — and upstage the England ace at Wembley.

Like illustrious Arsenal and Three Lions stars Saka and Raheem Sterling, the Bristol City ace honed his skills on the streets of North London.

And now he is dreaming of following the duo on to the biggest stage when England start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in March.

That would see wingman Mehmeti, already capped three times by Albania, complete a remarkable journey from the capital’s cages to Wembley’s iconic arch.

Mehmeti, 23, told SunSport: “I learned to play my football on the streets of London since I was three or four.

“I grew up on an estate so all I wanted to do was play football in the cages and that’s where I learned to be fearless.

“It’s because of that upbringing that I love to play attacking football and take on my opponents.

“You’ve got to be brave in those settings and that’s the way I still am and I’m not going to change.

“It was the same with the likes of Sterling and Bukayo Saka, albeit in different parts of North London.

“But it all boil downs to the same things — loving football and enjoying the game which is the reason we play.”

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Mehmeti thrived under the watchful eyes of his parents, who moved to England some 25 years ago.

He added: “It’s a long time ago but we played every day. I still want to play every single day and it would be a dream come true for me to represent Albania against England.

“I was born in England but my blood is Albanian and I speak Albanian. And I used to visit every summer until I became a pro footballer when you make sacrifices.”

Mehmeti could face Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold or Ben White when Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions reign begins.

But the Robins man will not be daunted by anyone he pits his wits against.

The Islington-born ace said: “I always joke with the lads that, respectfully, I don’t care who’s in front of me.

“I don’t want to sound arrogant but I know what I can do and games like England versus Albania are the sort you live for.

“It’s exciting Albania have been drawn in England’s group and I’m determined to be part of it.

“I’ve played three times for Albania but there’s been a stint where I didn’t get called up over the last year.

“That’s frustrating but hopefully I’ll get a chance to play England because you want to test yourself against the best.

“I feel ready. I’m feeling sharp. I’ve just got to keep working hard for the team, scoring goals and, hopefully, the Albanian Federation will call.”

Mehmeti aims to add to his six goals this term when the Robins visit West Brom tomorrow.

He has become a crowd favourite following a £1million move from Wycombe in January 2023 that capped a rise from non-league football.

After a youth career at Fulham, Tottenham and Norwich, he dropped down to join Woodford Town in Essex.

He said: “I ended up clubless for a while because of Covid.

“I always had belief in myself but there’s doubts when it’s five months without a club and you wonder when the next chance will arise.

“I played for Woodford in the Essex Senior League which was a lifeline and I always trained hard so I was ready.

“That paid off when I got into Wycombe on trial for the B team before I really kicked on.

“It’s been a rough ride, and I know there’s going to be more struggles but I’m ready because I’ve never had a straight road in football.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk