Albanian National Symbol bids farewell to football

Former Albanian striker Hamdi Salihi wraps up his football career Saturday. One of the “bombers” of Albanian football suggested through a public letter closing the 17-year career by expressing gratitude to family and fans.

Dear friends,

After a long thought and after consultations with my family and close to me, I decided that the next fight at home against Walker Innsbrock II will be the last game in my football career. Through this message I wanted to inform you but also to say thank you all, all the players I played, teammates or opponents, trainers, union directors and presidents, the fans of the teams I played, and the fans of the opposing teams, and I'm so happy to meet you and you've had memorable moments on this wonderful trip.

A special thanks goes to my family, who sacrificed so much and always supported me. My parents, who were my greatest support and my brothers, who were the greatest teachers and critics on this long road.

My decision is completely intuitive, as I can never imagine leaving football. In recent years I have read a lot, studied and made notes that I believe in my future football will be very valuable. Since the end word is very difficult, I would like to see this moment as the beginning of a new career, which I hope will give me the same emotion that I've had as far away as an active field. Of course, I stay with the Neustads as footballers until the end of the 2018/2019.

Salih played the red fan 50 matches, achieving 11 goals. The super-gool towards Norway on 22 March 2013 in Oslo is considered one of the historic moments of our nationals.

In Albania, he achieved success with Vlasny, Tirana and Skenderbeun. He has achieved a career of over 300 goals.

All Albanians wish him success in his new career as coach Salih.