Amir Rrahmani announces shock retirement from Kosovo duty amid federation dispute
Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani has retired from international football with Kosovo after a decade of service, citing a breakdown in relations with the country's football federation leadership.
Napoli centre-back Amir Rrahmani has officially announced his retirement from international duty with Kosovo. The 32-year-old defender, who served as the national team captain for the past seven years, departs after a decade-long international career that spanned 66 appearances.
The decision follows a severe breakdown in relations between Rrahmani and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FKK). In a statement released on Friday, the veteran defender made it clear that he felt forced to step down due to the current leadership structure at the top of the organization.
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. Amir Rrahmani
Rrahmani detailed that persistent disagreements and a lack of support from federation officials made his position untenable. He described a two-year period of constant, coordinated attacks from those he felt should have been supporting the players. According to the Napoli star, this move was necessary to preserve his integrity as both a captain and a human being.
His exit is a significant blow for the national side, which must now manage the challenging task of finding a new captain and moving forward without their most experienced leader. Rrahmani's statement leaves the door open for a potential return, but only on the condition that major administrative changes take place within the federation.
For now, Rrahmani will focus exclusively on his club career. As a mainstay in the Napoli defensive line with over 200 appearances for the Italian club, he remains a key figure at the domestic level.