Weeks ago, Leeds United forward Noah Okafor announced that he had retired from the Swiss national team. And this week, the issue has resurfaced ahead of the international break.
Monday saw the winger open his account in the Premier League this season.
Okafor had a slow start to life last year, but found his form towards the end of the campaign. The winger’s goalscoring run in the final months of the season played a huge part in Leeds avoiding relegation.
Noah Okafor played so well last season that he won his way back into the Switzerland national team.
He even made the final list for Murat Yakin’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Leeds United star called out over national team controversy
Noah Okafor and Ao Tanaka
Credit: Imago
But it seems like something went on at the tournament that did not go down well with the Leeds United star. Okafor only managed to play 19 minutes in total and failed to start a single game.
His statement announcing his retirement hinted to promises being broken, and Okafor himself stated that it was not about playing time.
Switzerland boss Murat Yakin has fired back at the Leeds winger this week ahead of the international break.
“I am all for a player speaking out about his performance and integrating into the team”, Yakin said at a press conference.
“I was not satisfied with his defensive performance. That is open to debate.
“It is an opportunity for new players.
“You can always discuss things with me, but going public – that is not my style.
“Anyone can earn their place through performance; that applies to everyone.
“We have young players in his position who are motivated. They do not put their own interests first.”
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Parting ways is the best decision for Noah Okafor
Things have always been tense since the Leeds winger became a mainstay in the Swiss national team.
His issues with the team have been public for years, and the manager is no stranger to discussing this in public. Even after they reconciled for the World Cup tis summer, things went South.
Okafor made the right decision to walk away, and Swizterland and Murat Yakin will also go on their way.
There is no need to have a hostile environment every international break, both parties made the right decision regardless of the optics.
From everything I have read about this Yakin seems to be the problem here. He had a dispute with Okafor some time ago but won’t move on. He HAD to select Okafor for the World Cup because of his performances for Leeds but, as far as I can judge, never had any intention of giving him a chance. He has been very vocal in the media about his differences with the player and it seems that he applies different standards of conduct from the players than he does to himself. Okafor has done the right thing in my view.
How about knuckling down and proving a manager wrong? I agree with the Swiss coach here, if he doesn’t fancy a player he doesn’t have to pick them that’s his perogative. Okafor has shown petulance and immaturity. He will learn, im sure.