Riga Kallaba is not just chasing a dream — she’s living it, and carrying generations of strength with every step she takes on the pitch.

In an exclusive interview with ATLANTIKU, the 17-year-old rising star opened up about the very first spark that ignited her love for football. “My first memory of falling in love with football was when I was watching the 2014 World Cup. I was super intrigued by all of the games and the next day I went with my dad to buy a pair of shin guards and cleats and that’s when it all started.”

But it wasn’t until she began collecting serious achievements that she realized this could become her life’s path. “The moment I realized I wanted to do this professionally was when I started accomplishing more things in my soccer career. I made the Illinois state team and then after I made the Midwest regional team where I was one out of 18 players in 12 states to make the team. And then I made the Kosovo national team which was a huge, huge accomplishment.”

That moment—wearing the Kosovo jersey—was unlike anything else. “Thinking back when I put on the jersey the feeling is indescribable” she said. “I made history for Kosovo because I was the only player out of the United States to get called up out of the men’s and women’s team.”

And then came the most powerful part of all. “It also makes me super emotional because my grandpa was almost killed during the war, so for him to be able to watch me in the stadium stands and watch me represent the country he fought for is one of the greatest honors of my life.” Riga doesn’t just play for herself — she plays for her family’s legacy, for those who came before her. “It is also a full circle moment because my mom is a two-time ski champion of Kosovo so it just makes me even more proud.”

Behind the scenes, Riga’s daily life is filled with discipline and sacrifice. “I wake up at 6 a.m. at the latest, get up, get ready to go to school. After school I get ready to go to training. I bring my homework with me because it’s an hour and a half commute each way both there and back, so I do my homework in the car. After training I go to the gym either for a recovery session or to get extra work in, and then after I go home, eat, shower, sleep and then repeat.”

But this lifestyle is building a future — one she’s already planning for. “My goals are to play at the highest level for soccer and to further my education. I’m verbally committed to Loyola University where I will be a part of their soccer program and to continue my education.”

Outside of football, Riga is just as passionate. “Some hobbies of mine that I like to do is swimming, dancing and skiing in the winter months. I love to stay active and whatever chance I get to do something I will always take.”

There’s also a side of her many don’t know about. “One thing that people don’t typically know about me is that I’m an artist. I can freehand really well and that’s just a skill that a lot of people don’t know about me because I don’t really post about it on Instagram but it’s one thing that I really am passionate for.”

When asked about her football idols, her face lit up. “My favorite soccer player is Xherdan Shaqiri. Ever since I was a little kid he’s always been such an inspiration to me. I’ve always tried to replicate his style of play and when he came to Chicago I was super excited. He always made a point to say hi to me whenever I came to his games. He gave me his jersey after his first goal with the team and it was just amazing and I’m super grateful for his unconditional support.” She also gave a heartfelt mention to another supporter: “My other inspiration is also Ermir Lenjani. He has been supporting me even before I had 500 followers on Instagram and I’m just so grateful for him too.”

Her advice to the next generation of Albanian kids? Simple, but powerful. “Never give up on what you love and always remember your roots and be proud of who you are.”/ATLANTIKU