TIRANA, May 25 – Albania’s captain Lorik Cana says the elite players of Albanian roots should continue playing with the Albanian side even after Kosovo’s recent UEFA and FIFA membership.
Speaking from Austria where the national side has gathered for its preparations ahead of the country’s debut in a major football competition such as Euro 2016, Kosovo-born Cana who has captained Albania since 2010 said a united and pan-Albanian national team will be stronger and more successful.
“It’s only four years that we have a pan-Albanian national team with players from Kumanova [Macedonia], Presheva [Serbia], Albania, Macedonia and the Diaspora. It is the first time we have this united national side and it’s obvious that when united we can achieve a lot,” said Cana.
Speaking about the possibility of players of Kosovo roots picking to play for Kosovo, Cana suggests the two football associations could merge in the future.
“I have always thought that the elite and the best players should stay with the Albanian national team. Maybe, the two football associations could merge in the future, but this is not up to our generation,” said Cana.
The captain, who has earlier hinted he could leave the national side after the Euro 2016, announced he will leave French club Nantes after Albania’s debut in the European championship and could try a new adventure outside Europe, likely in the U.S. where another Albanian football player, striker Shkelzen Gashi plays Colorado Rapids.
“I have asked to leave Nantes after the European championship and the club’s chairmanship has approved this. I would like to engage in a new experience outside Europe,” he said.
The 32-year old defender joined France’s Ligue 1 club Nantes from Italy’s Lazio in Sept. 2015 on a two-year deal but did not shine in his France comeback where his career as a professional kicked off.
Born in Kosovo, Cana began his professional career in France with Paris Saint Germain and also played for Marseille, Sunderland and Galatasaray before moving to Italy with Lazio in 2011.
He is still a regular starter with the national side and much of the success in the Euro 2016 qualifiers is also dedicated to him.
No current player to leave
Fifteen of the 27-men in the initial Euro 2016 squad are of Kosovo roots raising concerns about the future of the Albanian national side now that Kosovo has been accepted as a full UEFA and FIFA member. Although the current players of Kosovo roots are unlikely to leave Albania, younger generations and new promising players will probably pick Kosovo.
Albania’s Italian-born coach Gianni De Biasi, has assured no player with Kosovo roots currently playing with the national side will be leaving.
“Some 50 percent of our players are from Kosovo but have chosen to play for Albania. Nobody will leave the Albanian national team after Kosovo is recognized by FIFA. We have a deal with our Kosovo friends and brothers under which players currently playing with Albania will not be called up by Kosovo,” De Biasi has earlier assured.
Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, captain Lorik Cana, midfielders Taulant Xhaka, Ermir Lenjani and striker Shkelzen Gashi, all of whom have Kosovo roots, have been regular starters in Albania’s Euro qualifying campaign with a key contribution to the country’s historic first-ever qualification.
Since 2014, Kosovo has been allowed to play in friendlies without displaying national symbols or playing the national anthem although not officially recognized by football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA.
