Armenia’s head coach, Yeghishe Melikyan, has voiced strong disappointment in players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan for choosing club commitments over national representation, as the team prepares for the UEFA Nations League.
Armenia’s head coach, Yeghishe Melikyan, has expressed deep disappointment in key players, including Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Tigran Barseghyan, for their decision to prioritize club commitments over national representation. Melikyan, who has praised Mkhitaryan as a “legendary footballer” and a “hero of our nation,” emphasized that the national team should be comprised of those willing to contribute, regardless of experience.
In a candid interview with Joghovoord on Armlur.tv, he stated, “It is better to have inexperienced players than experienced ones who have fled the battlefield,” highlighting the importance of commitment to the national cause. As Armenia gears up for its UEFA Nations League opener against Latvia on September 25, the team faces significant challenges, with eight players sidelined due to injuries and five others struggling for regular playing time at their clubs. Melikyan’s remarks underline the coach’s belief that the national team belongs to the entire nation, rather than being the exclusive domain of its leadership.