A day after it was announced that Hamdi Salihi had beencalled up by Albania for an August 15 international friendly against Moldova,the 28-year-old striker told reporters that playing for the national team wasthe ‘highest a player can reach in this sport’.
Moments later, he also acknowledged how difficult it is toleave his team in the middle of the season.
“It’s not good for the club,” admitted Salihi, who willdepart for Europe the day after D.C. plays Sporting Kansas City and return fourdays later. “Because you have togo there and come back and then have a match on the weekend.”
Though there have been multiple Albanian friendlies sinceSalihi’s arrival in D.C., the Moldova match will be his first internationalaction as a member of the Black-and-Red. Albania played twice – against Qatar and Iran - in late May, at the sametime United was finishing off a critical three-game homestand. Salihi says he, Ben Olsen and Albanianhead coach Gianni De Biasi discussed the possibility of him playing in thosematches, but decided against it.
“This is a part of it,” Olsen said. “We always want our guys to be in internationalcompetitions and playing for their national teams because it means they aregood players and they are doing a good job.”
D.C.’s coach has previously mentioned observing an emotionaluptick in those returning from international duty. Though it’s usually reserved for younger players, Salihihopes his club form will benefit from time spent abroad.
“For a player it is really important how you are mentallyand the emotions of the national team you cannot have anywhere else,” saidSalihi on Thursday. “Players whogo to [national team] come back to club and feel more responsibility and theyare emotionally more positive. Ihope this will happen for me and I can bring this positivity back to the club.”
This could be the first of many future call-ups for Salihi. Albania opens World Cup 2014 qualification later this fall with matches against Cyprus (September 7) and Switzerland (September 11).
