Amir Rrahmani Quits Kosovo Duty in Federation Leadership Protest
Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani has ended his Kosovo international career, saying he will not return while the Football Federation of Kosovo remains under its present leadership.
The 32-year-old announced the decision on Friday evening after ten years with the national side. He leaves with 66 caps and had worn the captain’s armband for seven of those years.
Quick facts
- Rrahmani has retired from Kosovo duty after a decade in the squad.
- The Napoli centre-back won 66 international caps.
- He captained Kosovo for seven years.
- His decision is linked to a dispute with the current FKK leadership.
- He has made more than 200 appearances for Napoli.
Rrahmani said persistent problems with the federation had left him feeling unsupported, with grievances going unresolved over a prolonged period. He described a lack of capable people within the organisation to deal with concerns raised by players.
“After ten years with the national team, seven of which were spent as captain, I am announcing that I will no longer be part of the Kosovo national team as long as the FKK is led by its current individuals,” he said.
The centre-back also alleged that those responsible for protecting the team had instead subjected him to sustained attacks for more than two years. He said the choice to leave was made to protect his standing as captain and professional, as well as his personal values.
Although Rrahmani’s statement amounts to an immediate international retirement, it leaves open the prospect of a return if there are major changes within the Kosovo federation.
His departure removes Kosovo’s long-serving captain and one of the squad’s most experienced players. The national team must now appoint a new leader while adjusting without a defender who had been central to the side for much of the past decade.
Rrahmani will now concentrate on Napoli, where he has already passed 200 appearances and remains an important member of the Serie A club’s defensive unit.
