“Blick” writes about the reasons Hajdari joined Kosovo

The major Swiss newspaper “Blick” devoted another article to Albian Hajdari on Tuesday, following the defender’s decision to play for Kosovo rather than Switzerland.

In its lengthy article, the Swiss newspaper gave several reasons that led the 22-year-old to join Kosovo.

As the first reason, “Blick” mentioned the opportunity that Switzerland had not given him to make his debut in the Nations League matches against Serbia and Spain.

According to the Swiss newspaper, Hajdari did not play against Spain because he “did not feel 100 percent ready”.

“Blick” recalled the invitation Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had extended to Hajdari to join the preparations for last summer’s European Championship. But Hajdari was not included in Switzerland’s final squad for the Euros. He was not even called up.

“A summer vacation instead of the dream of being at the European Championship. The disappointment was great,” the newspaper continues.

After the Euros, Yakin did not count on Hajdari for the Nations League matches. “The disappointment grew,” “Blick” goes on to write.

Hajdari had made his debut for Switzerland in a friendly against Luxembourg in March. He came on in the second half. 

“The fact that a young, unknown player like Stefan Gartenmann started that match may have dampened his joy at making his debut for the national team.”

After his debut, Hajdari was not included in Yakin’s squad for the camp in the United States in June.

According to “Blick”, Yakin had contacted Hajdari by phone several times after Leon Avdullahu’s decision to represent Kosovo. The Swiss newspaper wrote that Yakin had promised to consider him if the 22-year-old continued his development in the Bundesliga.

“But Yakin quickly realized that the train had probably already left the station. Its destination – Pristina,” the newspaper writes.

“Blick” wrote that Hajdari had given the same reasons as Avdullahu for deciding to join Kosovo.

“On the one hand, gratitude to Switzerland, the country where he was born and educated, and on the other, an emotional connection to his family’s country of origin, as well as the opportunity to take on footballing responsibility in a new country.”