Miralem Pjanic’s Resurgence in the UAE: From Barcelona Departure to Key Player

Miralem Pjanic was one of many players who passed through the ranks of Barcelona without making a significant impact on the Catalan club. He landed at Camp Nou in a swap deal with Juventus involving Arthur Melo. Barcelona paid 60 million euros for him and sold the Brazilian for 72 million euros, leaving a profit of 12 million in the club’s coffers. Today, many football enthusiasts struggle to recall which team he currently plays for as a professional footballer.

His first season wearing the Barcelona jersey was unremarkable. He started with prominence under Ronald Koeman but gradually lost it. The following season, he went on loan to Besiktas, with the transfer window already closed in the top five European leagues (though slightly extended in Turkey). He agreed to a salary reduction, and the Turkish club assumed part of the wages.

Upon returning from his Istanbul adventure in September 2022, it seemed that Xavi would include him. This was mentioned in press conferences, but the club and the player reached an agreement to terminate his contract, which was valid until the end of the 2023/24 season. He had played 30 games with the Barcelona jersey, failing to score or assist.

A Practically Irreversible Step Back

Pjanic chose Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates as his destination, where he shared the dressing room with another former Barcelona player who didn’t shine at Camp Nou, Paco Alcácer. In his first season (2022/23), he was the engine and leader of the team, playing a crucial role in winning two titles: the UAE Cup and the UAE President’s Cup.

Signing five goals and providing five assists in 28 games, Pjanic played in a more advanced role than at Barcelona, showcasing his technical superiority compared to the rest of the team and the league in general.

This season, at the age of 33, Pjanic has continued in a similar fashion. Positioned closer to the area, he has delivered seven assists in 20 matches but has yet to score. Sharjah, without a league title since the 2018/19 season, aims to regain domestic supremacy with the Bosnian’s contribution. Currently in fourth place with 22 points, eight behind the leader Al Wasl, the team led by Cosmin Olariou has realistic chances of achieving this goal.

Free Agent Next Summer

On June 30, 2024, Miralem Pjanic’s contract with the UAE team will expire. While stranger things have happened, after two seasons in the exotic league with a significantly lower competitive pace and lower demands, it would be quite normal for the Bosnian not to return to Europe, assuming he intends to continue enjoying football.