Miralem Pjanic’s father said he’s the best free kick taker in the world and “just like Juventus: ambitious and winning.”
The Bosnia international midfielder was born in Zvornik in 1990, but a year later his father Fahrudin Pjanic whisked the family to Luxembourg to continue his professional playing career, escaping the imminent war.
“It’s almost as if I protected him using the football,” Fahrudin told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Miralem Pjanic’s father said he’s the best free kick taker in the world and “just like Juventus: ambitious and winning.”
The Bosnia international midfielder was born in Zvornik in 1990, but a year later his father Fahrudin Pjanic whisked the family to Luxembourg to continue his professional playing career, escaping the imminent war.
“It’s almost as if I protected him using the football,” Fahrudin told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I was fortunate enough to take him away from the atrocities of the war and Miralem, as he grew up, never made me feel bad about running. He has always felt Bosnian, but became a champion in Luxembourg, his second home.”
Pjanic moved on to Metz, Lyon and Roma in his playing career before landing at Juventus over the summer.
“He has followed the directives of the club, listened to the Coach and sacrificed himself for the team. When he behaves like this, the results will arrive. The fans shouldn’t worry, especially after his free kick against Chievo.
“I know he’s sweating up a storm in training. Compared to previous years he had a few more fitness problems at the start, but now everything is fine.
“It’s a completely new world to him and Turin is a totally different city to Rome. Miralem is aware this is a step up in his career with an incredible club, perfect for those who want to triumph, just like him.
“In fact, I’d say Juve are similar to my son: ambitious and winning. The desire for success is the thing he likes the most, that is why he is in the ideal club and will adapt quickly.
“Rome is also a city for winners, but I don’t know how it works there… At the start of the season it’s all great, then something always happens.”
Max Allegri has moved Pjanic around several midfield roles so far this season. Where does his father think he’s best suited?
“That is a question for Allegri, as he is the one who decides. I say he can play anywhere, because he has quality and works hard. He can move into a more advanced role, because he has this decisive passing ability, but proved he can defend too and organise the play from in front of the defence.”
Pjanic famously learned the art of free kicks from his Lyon teammate Juninho Pernambucano. Is he the master now?
“Absolutely, the best free kick taker in the world,” assured Fahrudin. “It was a great learning experience being close to Juninho, but his strength has been in creating a style all his own. Now we can say that in football there is a Pjanic-style free kick.
“It’s true that I realised he’d be great when as a kid I heard him kicking the ball against the garage door. I remember the sound it made.
“From age 10 it was confirmed to me that he was something special, at age 11 he was playing for Luxembourg, at 16 the Metz directors could see this great future ahead of him.
“However, when it came time to choose a national team, he naturally went for Bosnia. It has been wonderful to watch him grow up, accompany him on the field and off it for so many years.
“I ended my career at age 32 when I realised my son could complete his father’s dreams: this is why I regret nothing.”