Cikalleshi then was part of under-21 squad for the qualifiers of 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship where Albania was placed in Group 10. Cikalleshi made his competitive debut on 13 November 2009 in the matchday 6 against Austria, entering in the last moments as Albania drew 2–2. Later on 4 September 2010, with Albania already eliminated, Cikalleshi played his first match as starter in the final matchday against Azerbaijan, scoring a goal by unable to avoid the 3–2 away loss. Albania finished Group 10 in the 4th position with only 4 points from 8 matches.