Henrikh Mkhitaryan Explains the Reasons for Leaving the Armenia National Team

Former captain of the Armenia national team, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, has spoken in detail about the reasons for his departure from the national side in his autobiography “My Life Is Always in the Spotlight.”

The footballer noted that his journey with the national team lasted nearly 15 years. He made his debut for Armenia in a match against Panama, while his final appearance came on November 14, 2021, in Yerevan against Germany, a match that ended in a 1–4 defeat.

“No one knew that this would be my last match for the national team. I personally decided to take a break, and I made the official announcement only several months later,” Mkhitaryan wrote.

According to the player, in recent years he increasingly felt internal discomfort while being with the national team.

“In recent years I didn’t feel well in the national team, as if I was not in my place, even though I knew that this was exactly where I was supposed to be. The atmosphere inside the team and around it had changed. At times, it felt like I no longer had a place there — in my own home,” the footballer admitted.

Mkhitaryan emphasized that his decision was not related to any conflicts or disrespect toward his teammates.

“I never shouted at my teammates, never spoke badly about them, and never showed any disrespect in the dressing room,” he noted.

The former captain also added that all his decisions in the national team were driven by the desire to maintain a high standard within the squad.

“Every decision I made, including during my years as captain, was aimed at one thing — maintaining the team’s level both on the pitch and psychologically,” Mkhitaryan wrote.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan played 95 matches for the Armenia national team, scoring 32 goals. He is the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of the national side.

The excerpt is published from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s book “My Life Is Always in the Spotlight.” His autobiography is already available in Armenian bookstores.