Appreciation for Silvinjo and the staff, Duka: In Albania, your door is always open

2026-05-22 16:38:00, Sport CNA

Appreciation for Silvinjo and the staff, Duka: In Albania, your door is always

The Football Federation organized a recognition and thanksgiving event for the former coach of the Albanian team, Silvinjo, as well as for the two assistant coaches, Dorival and Pablo Zabaleta, for their contribution and work during their three and a half years at the helm of the Rossoneri.

In an atmosphere of appreciation and respect, President Duka thanked the technical staff for the professionalism, dedication and dignified manner in which they represented the red and black jersey, highlighting as a highlight the historic qualification and participation of Albania in Euro 2024. As a sign of gratitude, the President of the Albanian Football Association presented the coaches with a National Team jersey with the inscription "Forever", in appreciation of their contribution to the history of Albanian football.

In his speech, President Duka emphasized that the technical staff has left a mark not only for their sporting results, but also for their dignity, dedication and the way they represented the red and black jersey.

The President of the Albanian Football Association explained that the staff change comes as part of the closing of a cycle and the opening of a new stage for the National Team, not for a lack of results or motivation. In the end, he expressed gratitude to all the staff and wished them success in their careers and lives.

"In this story, you have also taken a part of the history of Albania, a part of our history and our National Team, which I believe is the most beautiful thing and I believe that it will have adorned you and you will miss it in the future. We are all here today, to thank you for your contribution to Albanian football with the National Team, which is truly the symbol of Albanian football, the symbol of all Albanians. During 3 years, Silvinjo, Doriva and Zabaleta have given a maximum contribution. They have experienced beautiful moments, not only in results.

The result is undoubtedly important, but what remains is the dignity with which they have represented the Albanian jersey. The dedication with which they have worked during these 3 years and, ultimately, our friendship and love remain. The fact that almost all of us from the Albanian Football Association are here to thank them shows that respect is the main thing that remains. During these three years, we have undoubtedly experienced difficult moments, we have also experienced very beautiful moments. The culmination has been the first place in the group in the qualifiers for the European Championship, participation in Euro 2024, a historic moment for all of us. I believe that also for Silvinjo, Dori and Zabaleta, because it is not very easy to have many European or World Championships on your CV. I wish that they have them, I wish that Albania also has them, but it is not very easy.

Ne kemi vendosur që ta ndryshojmë stafin e ekipit Kombëtar, sepse këto janë rregullat e futbollit, sepse futbolli i ekipeve Kombëtare nuk është njësoj si ai i klubeve. Në klube mbase ke mundësi të ndryshosh lojtarët, ndërsa në ekip Kombëtar mbetet për të ndryshuar vetëm stafi, sepse lojtarët nuk ndërrohen, nuk shiten dhe nuk blihen lojtarët e ekipit Kombëtar. Ky është slogani që ne përdorim: mbyllet një cikël dhe hapet një cikël tjetër, për këtë arsye. Jo për arsye të mungesës së motivimit, përkushtimit dhe të rezultateve të ekipit Kombëtar. Duke qenë se ne sot jemi për këtë lloj ndryshimi, për t’i falënderuar stafin e ekipit Kombëtar, në të njëjtën kohë do të doja të falënderoja, sepse edhe një pjesë tjetër e stafit është zëvendësuar.

Do të doja të falënderoja Ilir Bozhiqin për kontributin e tij në ekipin Kombëtar, për më shumë se 3 vite, për punën, përkushtimin dhe profesionalizmin e tij. Do të doja të falënderoja edhe Luca Laurentin dhe Alarico Rossin, të cilët edhe ata do të zëvendësohen. Një falënderim shumë i madh nga unë dhe nga e gjithë FSHF për të gjithë kontributin tuaj për ekipin Kombëtar dhe, në të njëjtën kohë, unë ju uroj që të keni vetëm suksese në futboll, por padyshim që të keni një jetë sa më të mirë dhe të shëndetshme. Derën në Shqipëri do ta keni të hapur, padyshim që do të jeni pjesë e eventeve tona në çdo moment dhe uroj që të kemi vetëm momente të bukura dhe momente gëzimi. Faleminderit edhe njëherë të gjithëve dhe urime!”, tha Presidenti Duka.

Silvinjo u shpreh i lumtur dhe krenar për periudhën në krye të Kombëtares shqiptare, duke theksuar se përtej rezultateve sportive, ajo që do të mbetet gjithmonë në zemrën e tij janë marrëdhëniet njerëzore dhe bashkëpunimi i përditshëm me stafin e FSHF-së. Trajneri brazilian falënderoi të gjithë punonjësit e Federatës për mbështetjen dhe vlerësoi frymën e unitetit që, sipas tij, ka shoqëruar ekipin gjatë gjithë rrugëtimit.

“Kur dikush e merr përsipër një punë, e merr përsipër që ta bëjë në 100% të saj. Ka raste që puna shkon mirë, ka raste që nuk shkon mirë. Kështu është futbolli. Unë bëj një profesion shumë të vështirë, shumë prej jush këtu e dini. Tani flasim për 3 vite e gjysmë. Jam absolutisht i lumtur për atë që kemi bërë. Kemi thënë që nga dita e parë që “Ne jemi një”.

I would not like to talk about Euro 2024, the World Cup qualifiers or the play-off phase. I would like to talk about more than 100 people who live and work for the Federation. I had the opportunity to have a nice conversation and drink a coffee with many of you. I still remember that 3 years ago, on the fourth floor where the president is, there was a coffee shop. At 9 in the morning I would go there and, day after day, I drank coffee with each of you and I listened to each of you working in that beautiful workplace. It will always remain in my heart. Beyond everything we have seen here, which is beautiful, exciting, but especially you, the human relationship, I will never forget this. I have each of you in my heart. Thank you very much, goodbye! ", said Silvinjo.

Dorival expressed his emotions and gratitude for the period spent in Albania, thanking all the employees of the Albanian Football Association for their hospitality and daily cooperation. He emphasized that the experience with the Albanian National Team will remain one of the most special memories of his life and career.

"A lot of emotions. I would like to thank everyone who works in the Federation. It has truly been a great pleasure to be part of this country, to live here, to meet each of you every day; this made me happy. I am grateful to God that I have had this experience in my life and that it will always remain in my heart," said Doriva.

Pablo Zabaleta praised the role and dedication of all the people working in the Federation, emphasizing that every success of the National Team is the result of joint work. The former Argentine defender expressed his gratitude for the past period in Albania and underlined that the connection with the AFF and with our country will always remain special for him.

"I will speak in English, because I am not as good as Silvinjo and Dori in Italian. For me it is the same. I want to say something: every organization is made up of people. Of course, success is on the field and it helps, but every organization is made up of people. The dedication, the passion and every success behind the team are all of you, each and every one of you in the Federation. As Silvio and Dori said, I have been very lucky to be part of this country, of this Federation. It is something that will stay with me forever.

President, just one ticket for me for each match, at least one ticket. I don't want three or four, but at least send me a ticket to any part of the stadium, no problem.

"I'm sure that when you've had such a good time in a place, you'll always come back at some point. I'm sure Silvio, Dori and I will come back in a few days, to have a coffee, to meet each and every one of you, and I hope that happens soon. Thank you again and good luck in the future," said Zabaleta.