1 week ago
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The Ardon Jashari saga certainly dragged out a little. However, AC Milan remained confident in their chances due to an ‘Albanian tradition’.
There were several points during the Jashari story where Milan looked to be done. From rejected bids to other interests, there were more than a few complications. Nevertheless, they remained and waited.
It would have been easy to walk away, but they were given assurances.
Power of a word
Jashari, in his first interview for the club, spoke about giving his word to the Rossoneri, and Gazzetta dello Sport have looked into this. As they write, the club benefited from ‘Besa’, an ancient Albanian tradition.
Put simply, it is a term of reliability. An ‘ethical code’ and fundamental culturally. Looking deeper, it is a way of giving your personal honour and trustworthiness; failing to stick by that results in shame for you and your family.
In Albania, one of the most serious insults actually stems from the word, showing just how important it is culturally. Historically, there are several cases where besa has resulted in monumentous events, such as saving Jewish people during the Second World War, as the article recalls. Whilst nowhere near as significant, Besa is now the reason Milan have their man.
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