Leeds United signed Noah Okafor from AC Milan in August. The Switzerland international made his debut when he came off the bench against Arsenal.
Since then, the winger has started in every league game for Leeds and scored two goals.
The 25-year-old’s good start at Leeds Unitd didn’t result in a place in the Switzerland squad for the ongoing international breaks. It was the same in September.
Blick say Okafor is the only Swiss player to score more than once in the top leagues this season. Despite this, Murat Yakin has left him out of the Swiss squad.
They also got in touch with national team director, Pierluigi Tami, who explained why the Leeds United player was left out. He did so in quite blunt details.
Leeds United player sees serious doubts over attitude
“That’s actually a question for Murat Yakin. Murat has decided in his head who will be a regular starter and who won’t. It’s important for us that everyone in the national team is happy, regardless of what role the coach assigns them,” he said.
Okafor last made an appearance for the national team in November 2024. Yakin had him in the squad for Euro 2024 but left him on the bench.
According to Blick, the current Leeds player had a discussion with Tami regarding this. It’s claimed Yakin was then, understandably, annoyed Okafor bypassed him and contacted the director.
The Swiss newspaper add Okafor was repeatedly pinpointed in the national team for his ‘bad mood, questionable behaviour, and poor training performances.’
After the Euros, the attacker, accompanied by his father and siblings, had an ’emotional conversation’ with Tami. He says the door is open after his good start with Leeds.
“This is the right path if you want to return to the national team. The door is open for him,” Tami explained.
However, Blick state the Switzerland FA have ‘secretly expressed serious doubts whether current, very harmonious and successful team hierarchy’ would fit with the player.
Okafor’s attitude issues could cost him a place in the Switzerland squad.
