Leon Avdullahu is not the only player who has decided to leave Switzerland to represent another national team in the future.
Before Avdullahu and Eman Koshpo, Ivan Rakitić, Amir Abrashi, and “Blue Sport” expert Mladen Petrić chose to play for the homeland of their parents.
“For each player, there may be a different reason. On the one hand, there are players who move because they see better prospects to play,” Petrić said in an interview for Blue Sport. “There are also players who see more perspectives for greater success with the Swiss team,” continued the former footballer, who played 45 matches for Croatia. He had played for Switzerland’s U17 and U21 before representing Croatia.
“Only the player can feel the desire to play for his homeland. It is his decision, and he has to accept it. There may be many reasons for this that we don’t know. Of course, it is a pity for Swiss football, but it remains his decision.”
Petrić built his career as a player in Switzerland, playing for Baden, Grasshoppers, and Basel, before later joining Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg, Fulham, West Ham United, and finally Panathinaikos.
