FLASH
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Albanians have produced over the years prominent figures in art, sports, politics and science, who have proudly represented their origin in the international arena. In addition, various media and publications have also mentioned world-famous personalities who have been claimed to have Albanian or Arbëresh roots.
The claim for Lionel Messi
Recently, the claim that the family of Argentine star Lionel Messi may have Arbëresh origins has been brought back into the spotlight. According to Monsignor Alejandro Greco, a priest in Argentina, the footballer's mother was descended from the Arbëresh community, descendants of Albanians who settled in Southern Italy between the 15th and 18th centuries.
According to this claim, Messi's grandfather originated from the Como area of Italy, while the family had ties to the Arbëresh community. So far, these claims have not been publicly confirmed by Leo Messi or by official documents, so they remain at the level of a claim.
A while ago, historian Naim Flamuri stated that footballer Lionel Messi is of Arbëresh origin and this is documented. On the show "Good Morning Albanians" on "Euronews Albania", Flamuri stated that many Arbëresh families emigrated from Italy to Argentina, and one of them was Messi's family.
According to the historian, Messi's family was from Gjirokastra and emigrated to Argentina in 1883.
Among other things, Flamur stated that Messi himself has spoken about his origins.
" We have in Argentina, don't forget, the largest grouping or the largest emigration of Italians, so, from Italy who have migrated to Argentina, there are over 25 million, or 65% of the population of Argentina. Of the 45 million population that Argentina has, 25 million are Italians and many of them we also have Orthodox Church nuns who are in Argentina.
All these studies are well done, with arguments. We are not boasting about people who are our blood, why not tell them that they are our blood, because foreigners take it and make it theirs. We have ours and leave it in oblivion. These are the Stradiote families, Stradiote means knights, who came especially from Albania who were in the leadership of the Venetian army in the 14th and 15th centuries. Among them are well-known families who emigrated from Italy and among them was Messi's family, we know him by the name Meksi. Now there has been talk about the origin of his mother, who is Albanian. Messi has mentioned that he may have Albanian origin , "he emphasized.
The Arbëresh are an ethno-linguistic community with Albanian roots, settled for centuries in Southern Italy, where they have preserved the Albanian language, traditions, and culture.
But besides Messi, the list of famous VIP characters of Albanian origin also includes the following names:
Robert De Niro
The famous American actor Robert De Niro has stated during his participation in the Sanremo Festival that his family origin is mixed between Sicily and Albania. For this reason, he is often mentioned in lists of personalities with Albanian connections.
Ana Oxa
Italian singer Ana Oxa has stated that her father emigrated to Italy from Albania, specifically from Kruja.
James Belushi
American actor James Belushi, like his late brother John Belushi, comes from a family of Albanian origin.
Eliza Dushku
American actress Eliza Dushku has repeatedly spoken about her Albanian origins and connections with her family.
Joseph DioGuardi
Former US Congressman Joseph DioGuardi is one of the most prominent Albanian-American figures and has been active in supporting Albanian issues in the US for decades.
George Tenet
Former CIA director George Tenet has stated in his autobiography that his family originated from Himara.
William Gregory
American astronaut William Gregory has announced that his ancestors emigrated from Albania at the beginning of the 20th century.
Tie Dom
Former Canadian hockey player Tie (Tahir) Domi was born in Canada to Albanian parents.
James Bieber
American actor James Bieber is also of Albanian origin.
Kristine Elezaj (Kebe)
Albanian-American singer Kristine Elezaj has built her musical career in the United States.
Claydee (Claydee Llupa)
Singer and producer Klajdi Llupa, known by the stage name Claydee, was born in Tirana and later settled in Greece, where he built his musical career.
Stanaj
Singer Stanaj, born in New York, is part of the generation of Albanian-American artists who have penetrated the international music market.
GAS
Rapper GASHI, of Albanian origin, has developed his career in the United States and is one of the most well-known Albanian artists on the international hip-hop music scene.
Anastasia Soare
The well-known entrepreneur and founder of the brand "Anastasia Beverly Hills", Anastasia Soare, has been linked to her Albanian origin through statements from close people. According to makeup artist Vjosa Paçuku, Soare has told her that her mother is from Elbasan. The entrepreneur herself has not publicly made this origin part of her identity.
Other names mentioned over the years
Sandra Bullock, Paul Walker, and astronaut Alan Shepard have also been mentioned in various publications as personalities with Albanian connections. However, there is a lack of clear confirmation and reliable sources for these names to definitively prove this origin.
The same category also includes footballer Mateo Musakio, who has been identified as being of Albanian origin by several sources.
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