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| Xhaka brothers against each other in the match Switzerland - Albania |
The 30-year-old midfielder made his debut with the red and black jersey in 2014 - and since then he has worn the Albanian jersey for 31 matches, being part of the group that wrote history with the qualification for the first time in the final phase of the European 2016.
Recently, Xhaka had several clashes with coach Edi Reja, who a few days ago stated that the midfielder has regularly refused his invitations. However, the footballer himself stated that he refused precisely because of injuries and that he is forced to withdraw from the national team.
Full letter of Xhaka:
Dear fans, footballers, football lovers, dear Albanian National Team, the pride of my blood. The day I wore red and black has been and remains the most beautiful day and memory of my life. I was and am very proud that it became possible for me to dress in red and black.
It was a dream for the whole XHAKA family which has already become a reality. We will always be proud and Grateful. Words cannot describe the beautiful emotions and moments I spent in the red and black national team.
The qualification we achieved together in the European will remain unforgettable, or the match we spent in Serbia. Above all the enthusiasm and pride of representing the red and black national team, is a struggle to show love for your country of origin. Like me and my brother Granit, we grew up with patriotism for Albania and Kosovo.
My whole family has raised both me and Granit with the red and black flag in their hearts, with special respect and pride for our country. The beginnings are always beautiful and no one thinks how fast the years go by and the relay must be handed over to the younger generation.
I recently missed the red and black national team due to numerous injuries, which still continue to haunt me. For this reason and many other private reasons, I have decided to say goodbye to the red and black national team as its player, but with all my heart I will be by your side at all times until the last breath. I will always be RED and BLACK.
Believe me, this decision is one of the most difficult and exciting decisions ever made in my life. I did not find it easy to make such a decision, because I felt very, very good and proud of the national team. I have been supported a lot by the Albanian Federation Staff, by my fellow players, as well as by the wonderful red and black fans.
But, in the conditions and circumstances that I am in, I thought that it is better to say goodbye to the national football team at this moment, to give the new generation the opportunity to be affirmed, to be the future of our common national team. I want to cordially thank the coaches I have worked with, the players, the president of the Federation, Mr. Armando Duka, as well as all football fans, for all the support they have given me during my engagement in the red and black bay.
A special thanks go to the red and black fans, they are the 12th player and have supported us at every time and moment. The fans have given us support even on our most difficult days. They have been a great inspiration to me. Red and black national team fans are the best in the world. Now I too will be an ardent fan of the red and black national team, so one like YOU. Pride and respect for the fans.