Kosovo Football Enters a new Era as Amir Rrahmani and Other Senior Players Leave the national Team
The departure of captain Amir Rrahmani, Florent Hadërgjonaj, Valon Berisha and Fidan Aliti removes four experienced figures from Kosovo’s squad just as coach Franco Foda introduces a younger generation for the new UEFA Nations League campaign.
Kosovo’s national football team entered one of the most significant transition periods in its recent history during September 2026 after several established players announced that they would no longer represent the country under the current circumstances. The most dramatic departure was captain Amir Rrahmani, whose decision created an immediate leadership vacuum (boshllëk udhëheqës) at the centre of the team. Within days, Florent Hadërgjonaj also withdrew from availability, while Valon Berisha and Fidan Aliti announced the end of their international careers. Together, the departures created a clear generational shift (ndryshim brezash) and forced coach Franco Foda to accelerate a wider squad rejuvenation (rinovim).
Rrahmani announced his decision on September 11 after approximately a decade representing Kosovo and seven years wearing the captain’s armband. The Napoli defender said he would not return while the current leadership of the Kosovo Football Federation remained in place, making his withdrawal explicitly conditional (i kushtëzuar) rather than an unconditional permanent retirement. He accused federation officials of failing to address players’ concerns and referred to what he described as prolonged hostility (armiqësi) toward him. The decision was presented as necessary to protect his personal and professional integrity (integritet).
Rrahmani’s importance to Kosovo extended far beyond his role as an experienced central defender. He had accumulated 67 appearances and seven goals while becoming one of the team’s most recognisable stalwarts (shtylla kryesore). His 42 appearances as captain demonstrated the extraordinary continuity (vazhdimësi) he provided during Kosovo’s development as a UEFA and FIFA national team. Losing such an experienced organiser inevitably affects defensive cohesion (kohezion) as well as the symbolic hierarchy inside the dressing room.
The timing made the announcement especially significant because Kosovo was preparing to begin a new UEFA Nations League campaign. Coach Franco Foda was therefore forced to enter the competition without the player who had previously provided much of the team’s defensive authority (autoritet). Rrahmani’s ability to organise the back line, communicate with teammates and manage difficult moments had given Kosovo important tactical stability (stabilitet). His absence consequently required both a structural and psychological readjustment (ripërshtatje) before the opening Nations League fixtures.
Foda publicly acknowledged the emotional character of the situation while attempting to prevent speculation that a wider player boycott was developing. The coach said Rrahmani had informed him personally of the decision and insisted that claims of a mass boycott (bojkot) were exaggerated. Foda’s response was designed to restore calm (qetësi) around a squad suddenly surrounded by controversy. His comments also reflected the need to preserve team discipline (disiplinë) while disagreements between players and football authorities became public.
Only days later, however, Florent Hadërgjonaj announced that he too would no longer make himself available under the current circumstances. Unlike Rrahmani, the experienced full-back directed his dissatisfaction primarily toward the national team’s technical staff (staf teknik) rather than the federation leadership. Hadërgjonaj said the relationship with the current coach lacked sufficient mutual respect (respekt) and trust. He nevertheless stressed that his decision was temporary and represented a professional disagreement (mosmarrëveshje) rather than a rejection of Kosovo itself.
Hadërgjonaj’s situation illustrated another challenge faced by international managers when established players lose regular places in the squad. The 32-year-old had made 39 appearances for Kosovo but had received increasingly limited playing time (minuta loje) during the most recent international cycle. He argued that his club performances had not been sufficiently recognised (vlerësuar) by the coaching staff. His withdrawal therefore reflected a breakdown in professional trust (besim) rather than the broader institutional dispute raised by Rrahmani.
The transition became unmistakable on September 18 when midfielder Valon Berisha and defender Fidan Aliti announced permanent retirement from international football. Both had been important members of the generation that established Kosovo in competitive European football, giving their simultaneous departures considerable symbolic weight (peshë simbolike). Their decisions removed further experience (përvojë) from the squad only a week after Rrahmani’s announcement. Kosovo was therefore losing several members of its original international core (bërthamë) within an exceptionally short period.
Valon Berisha’s international story had particular historical significance. Before joining Kosovo, he had represented Norway at youth levels and made 20 senior appearances for the Norwegian national team, meaning his switch involved a major personal commitment (angazhim) to the newly established Kosovo side. He eventually accumulated 52 appearances and four goals for Kosovo, becoming an important midfield leader (udhëheqës) during the team’s formative competitive years. His debut goal against Finland in September 2016 came in Kosovo’s first World Cup qualifying fixture (ndeshje zyrtare), giving his career an enduring place in the team’s history.
Berisha represented the type of diaspora player who helped Kosovo build a competitive national team almost immediately after joining UEFA and FIFA. Players developed abroad brought technical proficiency (zotësi) and experience from stronger European football systems. Their willingness to represent Kosovo accelerated the team’s early development (zhvillim) and increased international credibility. Berisha’s retirement therefore symbolised the gradual conclusion of Kosovo football’s first major diaspora-driven (i mbështetur te diaspora) generation.
Fidan Aliti leaves with an equally substantial international record. The central defender made 64 appearances and scored once for Kosovo while becoming a reliable defensive presence (prani) over many years. In his farewell message, Aliti emphasised the pride and sacrifice (sakrificë) associated with representing Kosovo. He described his international career as an important personal chapter (kapitull) while making clear that he would remain emotionally connected to the national team.
Unlike the confrontational tone surrounding Rrahmani’s withdrawal, Aliti and Berisha presented their departures principally as natural conclusions to long international careers. This distinction matters because Kosovo’s September transition resulted from several different motivations (motive) rather than one coordinated rebellion. Some players were retiring after years of service, while others were withdrawing because of institutional or coaching conflicts (konflikte). Treating every departure as part of a single crisis would therefore obscure the considerable nuance (nuancë) surrounding individual decisions.
The departure of four experienced players forced Foda to redesign the squad for the fifth edition of the Nations League. His September 18 selection introduced several younger footballers capable of becoming part of a new national-team cycle (cikël). Bayern Munich talent Erblin Osmani represented the most eye-catching new call-up (ftesë) after previously appearing for Germany at under-16 and under-17 level. Dion Kacurri and Milot Avdyli also entered the squad, demonstrating the coaching staff’s willingness to accelerate renewal (rinovim).
Osmani’s decision to represent Kosovo is particularly important because competition for diaspora players remains central to the country’s football strategy. The 17-year-old had experience within Germany’s highly developed youth system (sistem) before committing his senior international future to Kosovo. Recruiting players of this profile can increase the squad’s long-term potential (potencial) while compensating for the retirement of established veterans. His arrival also provides a powerful symbol of succession (vazhdimësi brezash) from the generation of Berisha and Aliti toward younger footballers developed abroad.
Dion Kacurri provides another example of that international recruitment model. The 22-year-old had previously represented Switzerland at under-21 level, giving him valuable competitive exposure (përvojë) before joining Kosovo’s senior squad. His inclusion increases the available depth (thellësi) as Foda rebuilds several positions. Kosovo’s ability to attract eligible players from European youth systems remains a significant competitive advantage (avantazh) for a relatively small football nation.
The squad transition was complicated further by injuries to several established players. Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Florent Muslija and Kreshnik Hajrizi were unavailable, adding further depletion (pakësim) to an already changing selection. Foda nevertheless retained important attacking continuity (vazhdimësi) through players including Edon Zhegrova, Milot Rashica and Vedat Muriqi. Their presence gave the team an experienced spine (bosht) around which younger players could be introduced.
One of the most important questions following Rrahmani’s departure concerned the captaincy. On September 23, Foda confirmed that striker Vedat Muriqi would become Kosovo’s new captain (kapiten) after consultation with the players. Mërgim Vojvoda was named as the principal deputy (zëvendës) in the new leadership structure. The decision created immediate clarity (qartësi) over who would inherit responsibility for representing the squad on and off the field.
Muriqi’s appointment represents continuity in a different form because he is himself one of the most experienced figures remaining in the squad. As a senior international and established striker, he provides significant authority (autoritet) within the dressing room. His leadership will become especially important during a period of tactical and generational transition (tranzicion). Muriqi must now help integrate young players while maintaining the competitive standards (standarde) established by the departing generation.
Foda said Kosovo’s immediate objective in the Nations League would be to remain in League B before attempting further progress. The competition therefore provides an immediate benchmark (standard matës) for the reconstructed squad. Austria was regarded as the group favourite (favorit), while Ireland and Israel completed the section. Facing strong opposition so soon after major personnel changes provides a demanding test of Kosovo’s tactical adaptability (përshtatshmëri).
The departures also create an opportunity for players who previously occupied secondary roles to accept greater responsibility. International football transitions often produce unexpected emergence (dalje në pah) when younger players receive minutes that established veterans previously occupied. Competition for positions can consequently increase squad dynamism (dinamizëm) even when losing experienced players initially appears damaging. Successful regeneration depends on whether new players can quickly develop the necessary chemistry (harmoni) with one another.
Defensively, replacing Rrahmani and Aliti simultaneously is perhaps Foda’s most difficult tactical challenge. Central defenders rely heavily on coordination (bashkërendim) because positioning and communication are as important as individual ability. New partnerships require time to develop mutual anticipation (parashikim) and confidence. Frequent changes can create temporary defensive vulnerability (cenueshmëri) until a stable combination emerges.
Kosovo must also manage the institutional issues exposed by Rrahmani’s departure. When a national-team captain publicly accuses federation leaders of failing to address players’ concerns, questions arise about internal governance (qeverisje) as well as sporting performance. Effective federations require credible channels for player grievances (ankesa) and communication. Allowing disputes to develop publicly can damage organisational cohesion (kohezion) even when the national team continues competing normally.
Hadërgjonaj’s withdrawal similarly highlights the importance of communication between coaches and experienced footballers. Selection decisions inevitably create frustration (zhgënjim) because only a limited number of players can start each match. Coaches nevertheless need sufficient transparency (transparencë) to ensure omitted players understand the sporting reasoning behind decisions. Maintaining professional rapport (marrëdhënie mirëkuptimi) can prevent normal competition for places from developing into permanent personal disputes.
The transition also has an emotional dimension for supporters who followed Kosovo from its earliest international competitions. Berisha, Aliti and Rrahmani were associated with a formative period in which every qualification campaign represented another step in Kosovo’s football institutionalisation (institucionalizim). Their departures therefore create a sense of nostalgia (nostalgji) alongside sporting concern. New players will gradually need to establish their own identity (identitet) with supporters rather than merely replacing familiar names.
Yet national teams inevitably experience generational change. Successful football nations treat such moments as opportunities for renewal (ripërtëritje) rather than allowing departures to create permanent decline. Kosovo possesses a large diaspora talent pool (rezervë lojtarësh) and increasingly has young footballers developing at strong European academies. The central challenge is converting that potential into long-term continuity (vazhdimësi) at senior international level.
September 2026 may therefore be remembered as the moment Kosovo’s first major international generation began giving way decisively to the next one. Rrahmani’s conditional withdrawal, Hadërgjonaj’s dispute with the coaching staff and the permanent retirements of Berisha and Aliti created an unusually rapid turnover (qarkullim) of senior figures. Foda responded by introducing younger players and reorganising the squad’s hierarchy (hierarki). Whether the resulting transition becomes disruptive or productive will depend on the new generation’s ability to establish competitive maturity (pjekuri) quickly.
For Kosovo football, the significance extends beyond individual names. The national team is moving from an era built by players who helped establish its international foundations (themele) toward one in which younger footballers must create their own achievements. The loss of experience creates immediate uncertainty (pasiguri), but the arrival of prospects such as Osmani and Kacurri offers considerable long-term promise. Kosovo’s new era will ultimately be judged by whether this major transition (tranzicion) produces a stronger and more sustainable national team.
Key Albanian Vocabulary
boshllëk udhëheqës leadership vacuum
ndryshim brezash generational shift
rinovim rejuvenation
i kushtëzuar conditional
armiqësi hostility
integritet integrity
shtylla kryesore stalwarts
vazhdimësi continuity
kohezion cohesion
autoritet authority
stabilitet stability
ripërshtatje readjustment
bojkot boycott
qetësi calm
disiplinë discipline
staf teknik technical staff
respekt respect
mosmarrëveshje disagreement
minuta loje playing time
vlerësuar recognised
besim trust
peshë simbolike symbolic weight
përvojë experience
bërthamë core
angazhim commitment
udhëheqës leader
ndeshje zyrtare fixture
zotësi proficiency
zhvillim development
i mbështetur te diaspora diaspora-driven
prani presence
sakrificë sacrifice
kapitull chapter
motive motivations
konflikte conflicts
nuancë nuance
cikël cycle
ftesë call-up
rinovim renewal
sistem system
potencial potential
vazhdimësi brezash succession
përvojë exposure
thellësi depth
avantazh advantage
pakësim depletion
vazhdimësi continuity
bosht spine
kapiten captain
zëvendës deputy
qartësi clarity
autoritet authority
tranzicion transition
standarde standards
standard matës benchmark
favorit favourite
përshtatshmëri adaptability
dalje në pah emergence
dinamizëm dynamism
harmoni chemistry
bashkërendim coordination
parashikim anticipation
cenueshmëri vulnerability
qeverisje governance
ankesa grievances
kohezion cohesion
zhgënjim frustration
transparencë transparency
marrëdhënie mirëkuptimi rapport
institucionalizim institutionalisation
nostalgji nostalgia
identitet identity
ripërtëritje renewal
rezervë lojtarësh pool
vazhdimësi continuity
qarkullim turnover
hierarki hierarchy
pjekuri maturity
themele foundations
pasiguri uncertainty
tranzicion transition
