Armenian Coach Yeghishe Melikyan Critiques Shirt-Exchange Culture Among Players
Yeghishe Melikyan, head coach of the Armenian national football team, expressed strong views against the practice of shirt exchanges following matches, emphasizing a focus on responsibility and team values over personal mementos.
In a recent interview with Kentron TV, Melikyan addressed comments made by national team captain Eduard Spertsyan regarding a desire to exchange shirts with Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. While he praised Spertsyan as an important player for the team, Melikyan did not shy away from condemning the act of players seeking shirt exchanges during times of defeat.
He recounted an experience where a player was seen waiting to exchange shirts after a loss, which compelled Melikyan to reconsider the player’s place on the team. Melikyan stated, ‘This is the national team, where a player must understand his responsibility.’
He reflected on his own experience, having only exchanged shirts once in a total of 30 matches, insisting that such actions should not overshadow the team’s main objectives. The coach reiterated that personal souvenirs have no place in the national team setting, and he remains committed to instilling these values among all players.