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Altin Haxhi has been one of the most recognizable names in the Albanian national team for many years. The left winger has made a name for himself with his play, playing 67 matches for the Rossoneri and becoming a fixture of the national team, in a completely different period of its journey.
In an interview for "Sport News" on "News 24", the former red and black footballer has shown how he sees the difference between the periods and the comparison with another name who is doing well on the left wing of the red and blacks. In the conversation with moderator Trevisa Tufa, he has also spoken about life after playing football.
Haxhi, today we are at "Air Albania", once the famous "Qemal Stafa", what feeling does it create for you?
The emotions are great. I spent many years here, I feel very proud to have been part of this national team.
You have played 67 matches with the national team, you have scored 3 goals, what is the most beautiful memory, the match that you would highlight?
All matches with the national team are exciting. In my opinion, the first match I played was against Ireland in Switzerland, where I scored my first goal, I was a young boy then. It was exciting, we gave the victory to the national team.
From 2009, when you retired, until today, I believe a lot has changed. We went to the European Championship twice. Which European Championship did you like the most?
I believe that reaching the European Championship, especially the first time, was something exciting. We were also trying to do something, but these guys brought the team to this level, it was a great pleasure. We got used to the second one too, we watched the matches with pride wherever we were abroad.
How do you see the Haxhi National Team today, how does it compare to the time you played? What do you like and where do we need to improve?
The difference was huge. The conditions are perfect, the stadium looks phenomenal. We will be successful in the coming years too. Albanians needed such a stadium. We Albanians have hot blood and we love football very much. We used to play so that we wouldn't be embarrassed, so that we wouldn't concede too many goals, now we are equal. It was different then, now our players are the best in the teams they play for.
There is a lot of talk about Mario Mitaj today, he is often compared to you. Do you have a comment about him, would you give him any advice?
Mitaj is a very good player, he is one of the best left wingers to have played for the national team. I am glad that they compare him to me.
Between Haxhi, Agolli and Mitaj, I'm very curious, if you were the coach, who would you trust with a starting jersey?
All 3 are good players. I believe that everything depends on the match, what the team's goal is and who they are playing against. If it is a German team, we would trust the left winger Mitaj. If we were playing against Greece, we would trust Agolli or Altini. These are very good players.
Have you been following Albania this period, do we have a chance of taking second place in the World Cup qualifiers?
Anything is possible. A win sends you up, a loss sends you down. Football is football. If you give your best, you will get results.
Haxhi, you have been living in Bulgaria for years, tell me something about your life. Make no mistake, you are part of CSKA Sofia, you work with the chain teams…
In Bulgaria I left CSKA 4 months ago after the President sold me the team. Now I am part of the academy, with the players I have there. I like football, in 2-3 years we will have results.
Kevin Dodaj, the talent from Vllaznia, recently joined CSKA Sofia. Have you seen him as a player? Would you give him any advice?
I was happy that he became the second Albanian to join CSKA Sofia, after me. I didn't know what kind of player he was, then out of interest I went in and watched him. I watched a few matches, I really liked him, I hope he becomes a great player.
Haxhi, do you follow local football in Albania? What do you think, now they are more present in Europe, it used to be not easy to play abroad...
I think it has to do with the level. The teams in the Superiore, there are not many differences, for example the first team with the last. The teams have rivalry in Albania and this is something positive, there used to be not so much.
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