Blendi Baftiu

Blendi Xhemajl Baftiu (born 17 February 1998) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kosovan club FC Prishtina. He has been capped for the Kosovo national team.

Club career Early career Baftiu began his football career with the youth team of Ramiz Sadiku until 25 September 2015, where he signed a long-term contract with Albanian Superliga club Skënderbeu Korçë, but he during the 2015–16 season would play with under-19 team.

Prishtina On 1 June 2016, Baftiu joined Football Superleague of Kosovo side Prishtina, on a three-year contract.

Loan at Flamurtari On 10 August 2017, Baftiu joined Football Superleague of Kosovo side Flamurtari, on a season-long loan.

Ballkani On 14 June 2018, Baftiu joined Football Superleague of Kosovo side Ballkani, on a two-year contract. On 19 August 2018, he made his debut in a 0–1 away win against Liria after being named in the starting line-up. He was the 2019-20 Football Superleague of Kosovo top scorer as Ballkani finished third, only one point short of its first league title.

Return to Pristina After playing for FC Drita from 2022 to 2024 and for FC Llapi in the 24-25 season, he returned to his hometown club FC Prishtina on 14 June 2025.

International career On 21 March 2017, Baftiu received a call-up from Kosovo U21 for a 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Republic of Ireland U21. On 6 June 2019, he made his debut with Kosovo U21 in a match against Andorra U21 after coming on as a substitute at 86th minute in place of Arbnor Muja.

On 24 December 2019, Baftiu received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Sweden and made his debut after coming on as a substitute at 46th minute in place of Ylldren Ibrahimaj.