Timeline: The rise of Marash Kumbulla

We look through some standout dates in time from the 20-year-old’s past to bring you up to speed on the latest Roma addition at the Stadio Olimpico…

FEBRUARY 2000

Kumbulla was born on 8 February 2000 to Albanian parents in Peschiera del Garda - a town in the province of Verona, best known for its iconic fortress and the stunning Lake Garda.

It was here that Kumbulla learnt his trade as a footballer, but he would eventually pick his parents’ Albanian heritage when it came to his international allegiance.

“[My Albanian roots] give me a strong sense of belonging to the traditions and history of my people,” Kumbulla told Corriere della Sera. “It's a feeling that pushes me to always give my best.”

JUNE 2008

At just eight years of age, Kumbulla joined the Verona youth system - but it was a player at Juventus that he idolised the most and had a poster of on his bedroom wall: Giorgo Chiellini.

“I have always admired his determination and his desire to improve,” he explained in that same interview with Corriere della Sera. “He is a true warrior on the field.”

MARCH 2014

Kumbulla’s ties to Verona the city and Hellas Verona the football club are clear, and as a 14-year-old he had one match burned into his memory - as he saw his hometown club see off Genoa thanks to one of the club’s most famous players in recent memory.

“I was a ball-boy at the Stadio Bentegodi and will never forget a day when I was on the sidelines for a 3-0 victory over Genoa, with Luca Toni’s brace,” he explained.

“Now I feel incredible, as I get to wear the jersey of the club I grew up in.”

APRIL 2015

By now, Kumbulla had been well focused on pursuing a career in football for some time. He later said that by 11 years of age: “I realised that what I really wanted to do was play football; making a passion, a profession.”

And as a 15-year-old, Kumbulla moved one step closer to fulfilling that ambition as he got his first taste of international football, representing Albania’s Under-17 side against Mexico in Austria.

AUGUST 2018

Three years later, Kumbulla was making his professional debut for Verona in the 2-0 defeat to Catania in the Coppa Italia and, although the result wasn’t ideal, it was an enormously proud moment for the then-18 year-old.

Four months later, Kumbulla made the first league appearance of his career, this time emerging on the winning side as Verona saw off Serie B opponents Cittadella 4-0.

AUGUST 2019

Despite not featuring again in the 2018-19 season for Verona’s first-team, Kumbulla made his Serie A debut a year later - following the club’s promotion - in a 1-1 draw with Bologna.

He went on to feature 25 times in the top-flight last term as he asserted himself as an important part of coach Ivan Juric’s outfit.

“I have to thank Ivan Juric. I am living a dream come true,” said Kumbulla.

“I think it's everyone's dream. It's already difficult to reach the top, and doing it with the team with which it all started is indescribable.”

OCTOBER 2019

The dream got even better a couple of months later in a busy few days for Kumbulla as he bagged his first professional goal and made his senior international debut.

His maiden strike against Sampdoria came first on 5 October as he leapt highest and thumped home a ninth minute header that he described as “an incredible moment”.

Nine days later - and after 17 youth international appearances - Kumbulla made his Albania debut.

Having been an unused substitute for two European qualifiers against France and Iceland, Kumbulla came off the bench in the dying moments of his country’s 4-0 win over Moldova to become a full Albania international.

FEBRUARY 2020

Whatever you did to celebrate your 20th birthday, it’s highly unlikely that it could top Kumbulla’s celebrations as he helped Verona to a 2-1 win over champions Juventus - at the time only their third defeat of the campaign.

“So far it has been the best evening of my life, because I celebrated with the victory against Juventus… After the match I was unable to sleep, due to the adrenaline I had inside me. It’s a game that I will always carry in my heart.”

SEPTEMBER 2020

After a hugely impressive first season in Serie A, Roma came calling for Kumbulla and snapped him up ahead of the new campaign to bolster their defence.

“What convinced me about Roma was the club, the coach, the staff, the qualities of the squad and the passion of the fans," Kumbulla said. "All those elements made it easy for me to choose Roma."

He added: "I’m really pleased to be here. My target is to help the staff and my teammates to keep getting better and to win as many games as possible.

"That’s something we can achieve if we all push each other to improve.”