For every person, there is a song. It’s a song that rings true, a tune that encapsulates everything about them.

It’s the song that they could play as the credits are rolled when the final whistle is blown in the game of life.

For Besart Berisha, that song would be Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five’s immortal Hip-Hop rallying cry, 'The Message'.

“Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head, It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from goin’ under...”

With his iconic Mohawk, that makes him look like an escapee from the 1979 cult film 'The Warriors' and a dead-eye stare that he seems to have borrowed from Ren & Stimpy, Berisha seems to be a striker on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

His altercations with teammates, like his exchange with Issey Nakajima-Farran on the weekend, are both comical and endearing – unless you’re on the receiving end.

Truth is, you never know what’s going to occur next with the charismatic Albanian, and you get the sense he’s not so sure either.

One minute he’s flashing his angry eyes, the next he’s in an embrace with a team mate or having a soothing word to an opponent as if they’re a long lost relative.

It makes him the most compelling player to watch in the Hyundai A-League.

The Albanian striker is having a season to remember, having scored a remarkable 19 goals in the season so far, 10 more than any other player in the competition. His ability to unpick the stingiest defences with arrowing, powerful runs and exquisite timing has become Ange Postecoglou’s greatest weapon.

Berisha makes things happen. Along with the guile and speed of Henrique they provide a contrast in style and temperament that seems to complement one another perfectly.

One can only imagine what the bubbly Brazilian makes of his strike partner’s exuberance and volatility. He’ll certainly have a few tall tales to tell when he eventually returns to Sao Paulo.

For the game in game in general, Berisha has been a god send.

There was a period where imported talent seem to be bargain basement, all promise and no delivery (Leandro Love anyone?)

Berisha’s football has reaffirmed the value of smart recruiting. Along with the arrival of Carlos Hernandez at Melbourne Victory, Marcos Flores at Adelaide United and his teammate Thomas Broich, Berisha’s performance proves that there is talent beyond our shores that can come to the Hyundai A-League and add significant value.

The contribution of these players has demanded a higher standard from local players and it’s fair to say they’ve responded accordingly.

And more than that, he’s given the Hyundai A-League something that it seems to lack – character. Footballers have become a fairly generic bunch.

You could never say that about Besart Berisha -The Grandmaster Flash of the 6 yard box.

 
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and do not reflect those of Football Federation Australia.
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Comments (17)
 
Berisha doesn't bring new fans to the stadium and his unprofessionalism turns away the ones that go.
Mario  |  
28 Mar 2012 01:26 PM
 
 
Interesting how poor his CV was before he joined Roar...
Krystal  |  
27 Mar 2012 03:13 PM
 
 
Bez is the missing ingredient the a-league needs , a combination of tenacity and character. The PC nazis have ruined all sports so all we get every week are cardboard cutouts. Try counting how many times footballers saymassive and yeah, absolutely;, at post match interviews and you'll see they are all the Same (except Bez). I'm not saying bring back the biff, but a bit of mongrel doesn't hurt.
Daveydownunder  |  
25 Mar 2012 08:30 AM
 
 
Issey isn't liked at the club by anyone. I can understand why they don't like him too. Just watch any interview he is in.
aj  |  
24 Mar 2012 05:49 PM
 
 
Absolutely love Berisha! Anyone who can score 19 goals in 26 games at a proffessional level is an amazing player. Hope he stays with Brisbane for a long time.
Matt  |  
23 Mar 2012 02:22 PM
 
 
What a player,he scores goals what team in any competition wouldn't want him,as for his tantrums nothing more than a storm in a teacup,that's the way he is.There have been lots of players with the same attitudes in the past, if they didn't have that passion they wouldn't be half the players they were.Go Bes.
Tony Keepence  |  
23 Mar 2012 01:03 PM
 
 
lol @Brad - not even the jets players argued those penalties. They were clear cut. Just becuase they were against your team doesnt make it diving. As for Berisha, its great to see such passion in the game. he just needs to control it better at some key tmies
evertonroar  |  
21 Mar 2012 09:13 AM
 
 
There were two things about this Issey-fit which showed him up for what he really is. Firstly, the initial dig was not the end of it. He had to go on and on until the second thing happened. This was causing a major distraction when Brisbane had to set a wall for Ali Abbas's free kick. As we all know Abbas scored. The Issey-fit was one direct cause of that goal being conceded.
Geoff  |  
21 Mar 2012 06:36 AM
 
 
Im a brisbane roar supporter and I understand why people think he goes over the top, but with out that passion he would not put in the amount of effort he does and would not have scored that many goals. Ange did reel him in at half time. I hope their is no more of that. Oh and people saying think of the children thats just pure excretetion
Morgan  |  
20 Mar 2012 09:12 PM
 
 
The guy's unreal. I can't believe some of the comments being posted. Brisbane are awarded penalties beacause they are able to get into which is no doubt frustrating for supporters of other teams who, on the most part, have the football intelligence to understand this and don't resort to posting unintelligent rants on forums. Besart brings a skill set that is unmatched by any other striker in the a-league but by far his greatest attribute is his passion! Unfortunately tall poppies like Berisha will always attract criticism from those without the grace to credit talent when they see it. Keep scoring goals big guy!!!
Tom  |  
20 Mar 2012 05:07 PM
 
 
Brad -- are you on drugs!? Brisbane arent divers... have a look at what Broich actually does to get the penalties and free kicks closer to the box...come on - its pure brilliance! too bad not many of the teams have the talent or seem to know how to tackle or control those kinds of runs into the 18... Yes I am a Roar supporter but I would still appreciate Bes if I wasnt. 19 Goals either shows he has the goods or the defence of some of the teams is weak at best...you chose. Bes is a wild card - has had a checkered past and continues to be an exciting player because you never know what you are going to get...its about time the aleague had some characters some of these so called marque players are a bit dull and predictable - bring on the personalities and lets get some attitude in the game! Bes is a great poacher and finisher...there are better out there...lets get them here.
Mark  |  
20 Mar 2012 04:43 PM
 
 
lol - and there you have it! The first 2 responses sum up the whole issue. Some loath him (mostly those supporters of those teams who have been on the receiving end of one of Bessies beauties) and those who absolutely love him (those how appreciate what incredible drive and commitment he demonstrates to his game, his team and the sport in general) You cant not have an opinion on Bessie.
BES  |  
20 Mar 2012 02:58 PM
 
 
I'm starting to lose confidence in Berisha as a player. Yeah sure, very hard working off the ball but first he has a go a Jurman a few weeks ago , then he really gave Issey a gobfull during the budiling of the wall , which lead to the Newcastle goal. But then Berisha kicked from the RHS about 20 metres out on the right an every body thought What was that Bes? I think Ange should sub him of f to teach him a lesson. Or my question is does Bes play favorites? As he is mates with Murdocca & Franjic. If this is a pattern then Ange or the club should pull him off. His behaviour is a poor example to up and coming aspiring players as opposed to Henrique who makes mistakes but is an excellent example of a sportsman
Gazza form Rochedale  |  
20 Mar 2012 02:06 PM
 
 
Nice to see you applauding idiotic, thuggish behaviour and trying to excuse it as character as if acting like a tantrum-throwing toddler and trying to punch on with your own and opposition players is character you can keep it. Do you really want kids trying to emulate this guy?
NoHero  |  
20 Mar 2012 01:12 PM
 
 
Considering that Berisha had already seen a sitter and hit the post off his own boot, his outburst at Issy was a massive hypocrocy, and no matter who you are, to tell a teammate to "**** off" is a disgrace that should not be tolerated. This guy is a grub, and fits in well at a club that will not stop at dishonorable tactics to win - 2 penalties awarded for diving against the jets, and many more penalties and free kicks awarded than any other A-Leage team shows they dive better than most of their Asian Champions League counterparts.
brad  |  
20 Mar 2012 01:04 PM
 
 
I'm sorry but this guy's a twerp. If this Issey-fit of his last weekend was a one-off then, with apologies all round, one could accept it. But it's simply the latest in a long line of nonsense. It can't be doing much for team spirit.
Geoff  |  
20 Mar 2012 12:41 PM
 
 
Berisha should get player of the year no doubt in my mind. He's the one behind Brisbane's success and will no doubt be the one to help them win the comp
Bruno S  |  
20 Mar 2012 12:08 PM
 

Francis Leach

A radio broadcaster of huge experience, Francis Leach is currently host of ABC Grandstand, a football fanatic and a left-sided midfielder.