Renato Malota

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Renato Malota
Renato Mallota - Albania U-21 (1).jpg
Malota with Albania U21 in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-06-24) 24 June 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth Lezhë, Albania
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position Centre-back
Youth career
2002–2007 Besëlidhja
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2007–2008 Besëlidhja 5 (0)
2008–2009 Partizani Tirana 22 (1)
2009–2012 Dinamo Tirana 50 (4)
2012–2016 Kukësi 115 (4)
2016–2017 Partizani Tirana 35 (1)
2018–2020 Vllaznia 60 (5)
2020–2022 Laçi 47 (2)
2022–2025 Egnatia 83 (3)
International career‡
2007 Albania U18 1 (0)
2007–2008 Albania U19 7 (0)
2009 Albania U20 2 (0)
2008–2009 Albania U21 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 October 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22 October 2025

Renato Malota (born 24 June 1989) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. [1]

Contents

Club career

Kukësi

On 9 August 2012, Malota completed a transfer at newly promoted Kukësi in club's first ever top flight season. [2] He was handed squad number 24, and played as starter in club's first ever Albanian Superliga match versus Luftëtari Gjirokastër which ended in a goalless draw. [3] Malota made his first cup appearance on 24 October in the first leg of second round against Tirana to help Kukësi achieve a historic 4–0 win at home versus capital club. [4] Malota's first score-sheet contributions came later on 10 February of the following year by netting the second of the 1–3 at Luftëtari Gjirokastër in the matchday 14. [5] His second of the season came later on 7 April in form of an opener in an eventual 1–1 draw at Teuta Durrës. [6] Malota concluded his first season at Kukësi by making 30 appearances, including 23 in league as Kukësi finished runner-up in championship to Skënderbeu Korçë and was eliminated in the semi-final of Albanian Cup by Laçi. [7] [8]

In the summer of 2013, Malota played an important role in Kukësi's squad that reached the play-off round of UEFA Europa League. [9] He played in all 8 matches and scored one goal. He appeared as substitute in both matches of first qualifying round against Flora as Kukësi progressed though away goal rule. [10] Malota then played as starter in the next two-legged tie against Sarajevo, as Kukësi won 3–2 on aggregate to advance to the third qualifying round. [11] [12] He scored his first European goal on 1 August 2013 in the first leg of third qualifying round versus Metalurh Donetsk to lead Kukësi into a 2–0 home win. [13] Kukësi then become the first Albanian club to reach play-off of an UEFA club competition after losing 1–0 in the second leg. [14] At play-off round, Malota couldn't avoid the elimination at the hands of Trabzonspor as Süper Lig club reached group stage by winning 5–1 on aggregate. [15]

Return to Partizani Tirana

On 8 August 2016, Malota completed a move to Partizani Tirana for an undisclosed fee, returning at Red Bulls for the first time after seven years. [16] He was presented on the same day, where he penned a two-year contract, stating: "This is the right year to win the title", [17] while refused to show the reasons why he left Kukësi where he was the captain. [16] He had to wait until matchday 8 to made his debut as he entered as a second-half substitute in Partizani's 0–1 defeat of Korabi Peshkopi at Selman Stërmasi Stadium. [18] In the beginning of 2017, Malota finally won his place at the starting lineup, making four full-90 minutes appearances in February. He scored his first goal of the season on 20 February in the Capital derby against Tirana, heading home a Lorenc Trashi cross in an eventual 2–1 win at Selman Stërmasi Stadium. [19]

Malota left the club in the first days of January 2018 after being excluded from winter training camp in Antalya. [20] He finished his second stint at capital club by playing 35 appearances in all competitions.

Vllaznia Shkodër

On 10 January 2017, Vllaznia Shkodër completed the signing of Malota on a free transfer. [21] The player penned a contract running until the end of the season with an option to renew for another season. [22]

International career

Youth

Malota has represented Albania in under-19, -20 and -21 levels, but is yet to make his senior debut.

Under-20

In June 2009, Malota was called up by manager of under-20 side Artan Bushati to be part of the team at 2009 Mediterranean Games. [23] He captained his side in both matches of Group D; the first, a 1–2 loss to Tunisia, [24] and the second, a 0–3 loss to Spain which brought the elimination from the tournament. [25]

Under-21

Malota become part of under-21 squad for the remaining three matches of Group 1 qualifying campaign. [26] He played his first match on 20 August 2008 as Albania drew 1–1 against Greece at Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium. [27] Malota also played in the final two matches, receiving two yellow cards as Albania lost 0–4 to Croatia and drew 0–0 against Azerbaijan. [28] [29] Albania finished Group 1 in 4th place with 12 points. [30]

Malota continued to be part of under-21 squad for the next European qualifying campaign where Albania was placed in Group 10. [31] He started in the team's opening match on 28 March 2009, a late loss home to Scotland. [32] He appeared in the next three matches as Albania finished 5th in their group, leaving behind only Azerbaijan. [33] Malota concluded his under-21 career by playing 7 matches and scoring no goals.

Career statistics

As of 17 December 2017 [1] [34]
ClubSeasonLeagueCup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Besëlidhja Lezhë 2007–08 Albanian Superliga 5000—50
Partizani Tirana 2008–09 Albanian Superliga 22160—281
Dinamo Tirana 2009–10 Albanian Superliga 19250—242
2010–11 130501 [a] 0190
2011–12 18210—192
Total50411010624
Kukësi 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 23270—302
2013–14 290808 [b] 1451
2014–15 3415000390
2015–16 291726 [b] 0423
2016–17 00104 [b] 040
Total11542721812151
Partizani Tirana 2016–17 Albanian Superliga 20110—211
2017–18 1103100141
Total3114100352
Vllaznia Shkodër 2017–18 Albanian Superliga 0000—00
Career total2211048319128814
  1. ↑ All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. 1 2 3 All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Dinamo Tirana [1]
Kukësi [1]
Egnatia

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Albania - R. Malota - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Kukësi firmos edhe me Alikajn dhe Malotën" [Kukësi signs with Alikaj and Malota] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 9 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Kategoria Superiore/ Luftetari "mace e zeze" per Kukesin" [Albanian Superliga/ Luftëtari a “black cat” for Kukesin] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi; Adela Merko (24 October 2012). "Thellohet kriza bardheblu, Kukësi bën "kurban" Tiranën…" [The white&blue crisis deepened, Kukësi “sacrifice” Tirana] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Kukësi 1 – 3". Soccerway. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Teuta Durrës vs. Kukësi 1 – 1". Soccerway. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Kategoria Superiore/ Kukesi ne feste, Skënderbeu kampion për të tretin sezon radhazi" [Albanian Superliga/ Kukësi celebrating, Skënderbeu champions for the third consecutive season] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Arritje historike, Laçi në finale" [Historic achievement, Laçi in the final] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "UEFA Europa League 2013/14 - History Kukës". UEFA . Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Kukësi kundër Sarajevës" [Kukësi versus Sarajeva] (in Albanian). Borozani.com. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Fatjon Pandovski (2 August 2013). "Lowly Kukës continue to roar for Albania". Tirana: UEFA . Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  12. ↑ Denion Ndrenika (25 August 2013). "Kukësi kualifikohet për në turin e tretë, eliminoi Sarajevën" [Kukësi qualifies to the third round, eliminated Sarajeva] (in Albanian). Illyrian Press. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "Kukësi vs. Metalurh Donetsk 2 – 0". Soccerway. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "Kukësi bën historinë, ekipi i parë shqiptar në play-off të Europa League" [Kukësi makes history, the first albanian team in play-off of Europa League] (in Albanian). Ora News. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  15. ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi (29 August 2013). "Kukësi kryelartë, Skënderbeu një penallti larg grupeve…" [Kukësi cooky, Skënderbeu one penalty away from groups] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  16. 1 2 Sotir Kora (8 August 2016). "Partizani, prezantohet Renato Malota" [Partizani, Renato Malota presented] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "Malota zyrtarisht i kuq, tregon arsyet pse zgjodhi skuadrën e Partizanit" [Malota officially red, shows the reasons why he choose the team of Partizani] (in Albanian). Newsport.al. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  18. ↑ "Korabi Peshkopi vs. Partizani Tirana". Soccerway. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  19. ↑ Andi Deçka (20 February 2017). "Derbi i kuq, Partizani fiton 2-1 ndaj Tiranes" [Derby is red, Partizani wins 2-1 against Tirana] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "EKSKLUZIVE/ Tërmet te Partizani, tre futbollistë të rëndësishëm mbeten jashtë listës" [EXCLUSIVE/ Earthquake at Partizani, three important players outside the list] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  21. ↑ "ZYRTARE / Malota firmos për Vllazninë" [OFFICIAL / Malota signs for Vllaznia] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  22. ↑ "ZYRTARE/ Vllaznia blindon mbrojtjen, firmos edhe Renato Malota" [OFFICIAL / Vllaznia armor the defence, Renato Malota signs] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  23. ↑ "Peskara 2009, Shqipëria zbardh listën e futbollistëve" [Pescara 2009, Albania unveils the list of footballers] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  24. ↑ ALB - TUN 1:2 (1:2) Wayback Machine
  25. ↑ ESP - ALB 3:0 (2:0) Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ "Albania squad 2009". UEFA . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  27. ↑ "Sukaj edges Greece towards exit". UEFA. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  28. ↑ "Albania scalp keeps Croatia in touch". UEFA. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  29. ↑ "Albania and Azerbaijan finish with nothing". UEFA. 10 September 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  30. ↑ "Qualifying round Group 1". UEFA. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  31. ↑ "Qualifying round Group 10". UEFA . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  32. ↑ "Scotland sucker punch downs Albania". UEFA. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  33. ↑ "Qualifying round Group 10". UEFA. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  34. ↑ "AFA profile" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
 Albania U20 captain
2009		Succeeded by
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