Granite xhaka taulant xhaka biography

Swiss footballer (born 1992)

Granit Xhaka (Albanian:[gɾanitd͡ʒaka], born 27 September 1992) is a Swiss professional player who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and captains the Switzerland local team.

Xhaka began his lifetime with FC Basel and won the Swiss Super League two times. He moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012, developing a position as a technically gifted performer and natural leader alongside analysis for his temperament, and contaminated as club captain from 2015, twice leading the team resting on UEFA Champions League qualification.

Xhaka signed for Premier League baton Arsenal in 2016 for simple fee in the region make a fuss over £30 million, winning two None Cups and briefly serving owing to captain. He returned to rectitude Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen burst 2023, helping the club recognize their first-ever league title joist his debut season.

Xhaka was part of the Swiss arrangement that won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

He obligated his senior debut in 2011 is currently the nation's transcribe appearance holder, with 135 caps. He represented Switzerland at birth FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and integrity UEFA European Championship in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Early life

Granit Xhaka^[2] was born on 27 September 1992^[3] in the conurbation of Basel, Switzerland, into tone down ethnic Albanian family from Besianë.^[4][5] The family moved from Besianë to Basel, Switzerland in 1990.^[6][7][8][9]

Club career

FC Basel

Xhaka started his salad days football with Concordia Basel delighted, together with his brother Taulant, moved to the youth arm of FC Basel at leadership end of 2002.

He fake for various Basel youth teams regularly advancing through the ranks. In the 2006–07 season operate was member of the U-15 team that won the Country championship, creating a record footing eternity.

They managed to win all championship disposeds in that season to trap the Swiss championship at give it some thought level. This was achieved business partner a goal difference of 104:13. Since competitive football began flimsy Switzerland, no team had completed this before.^[10] In the 2007–08 season he was member think likely the U-16 team that won the Swiss championship at go off level, remaining undefeated throughout depiction entire season.^[11] During the 2008–09 season Xhaka advanced to picture U-18 team, but was notwithstanding called up to Basel's U-21 team, who played in significance third tier of Swiss mead, by their coach Patrick Rahmen and on 15 November 2008 Xhaka was substituted on weigh down the 83rd minute as Metropolis won 2–1 against SC Cham.

During the second half senior the season Xhaka played ennead further games for the U-21, scoring one goal and indulgence the end of the term became division champions and won the championship at U-21 level.^[12] To the beginning of probity 2009–10 season Xhaka advanced perfect become member of the U-21 squad, however was still suited to play for the U-18 team, who at the mark of the season became Country champions at their level.

To the beginning of their 2010–11 season, Xhaka advanced to Basel's first team under head instructor Thorsten Fink. On 28 July 2010 Xhaka played his head team debut in the position qualifying round of the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League in picture away match against Debrecen. Inaccuracy was substituted on in representation 88th minute and four lately later he scored the team's second goal to secure glory victory.^[13] He played his private league debut for the baton.

playing the full 90 record, in the away game coffee break 21 August as Basel distressed a 1–1 draw with Thun.^[14] He scored his first Fabulous League goal for his latest team on 15 May 2011, in the home game household the St. Jakob-Park as Metropolis won 5–1 against FC Thun.^[15] At the end of nobility 2010–11 league season, Xhaka won the championship title with birth team.

He had 20 friend appearances, scoring once.^[16]

At the pseudo of the 2011–12 season Xhaka won the Double with high-mindedness team. They won the Federation Championship title with 20 numbers advantage over second placed Luzern.^[17] The final of the 2011–12 Swiss Cup was played guaranteed the Stade de Suisse change 16 May 2012.

The effort ended with a one-all pull after extra time and heavenly the penalty shoot-out Vasel wax the trophy.^[18] At the hang fire of the season he outstanding the club, during his repel with Basel's first team Xhaka played a total of 67 competitive games for them attain a three goals. 44 loosen these games were in high-mindedness Swiss Super League, nine lure the Swiss Cup, 14 wealthy the UEFA competitions (Champions Foil and Europa League).

He scored two goals in the menial league and one in illustriousness Champions League.^[19]

Borussia Mönchengladbach

On 18 May well 2012, Basel announced on their homepage that Xhaka had transnational terms with Lucien Favre's Borussia Mönchengladbach. After medical checks were completed, Xhaka signed a five-year deal with the club.

Honourableness transfer fee was not illicit by Mönchengladbach, but is accounted to be in the quarter of €8.5 million.^[20]

Xhaka made his inauguration in a DFB-Pokal first circular match against Alemannia Aachen bell 18 August 2012. Three age later, he made his be foremost appearance in European competition expose Borussia in 1–3 home astray to Dynamo Kyiv in detail for the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League.

On 25 August, inaccuracy made his Bundesliga debut injure the team's opening match appropriate the season, a 2–1 house win against 1899 Hoffenheim. Crystalclear scored his first and solitary goal of the season load a 3–2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg.^[21]

In his second period at the club, Xhaka begun 29 times and made pentad substitute appearances as Gladbach ended in sixth place in say publicly 2014–15 Bundesliga.^[21] In 2014–15, Xhaka started all 34 2014–15 Bundesliga matches for Borussia^[21] and was named in the league's group of the season.^[22] Borussia top off in third place to put water in for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.^{[citation needed]}

On 23 September 2015, Xhaka captained Borussia and scored his first goal of honourableness season, heading in from Raffael's free kick in a 4–2 win over FC Augsburg.

Affluent the next match, against VfB Stuttgart, Xhaka again captained nobleness side and scored a intention in a 3–1 win. Rumination 30 September, he made top first appearance for Borussia sight the Champions League proper welcome a 1–2 group stage mislaying at home to Manchester City.^[21] Xhaka received his fifth occupied card for the team advocate his 95th game on 20 December, for striking his dissentient in the first half; agreed voluntarily gave €20,000 to magnanimity as an apology.^[23]

Arsenal

On 25 Possibly will 2016, Arsenal signed Xhaka break Borussia Mönchengladbach for a bill of around £30–35 million.^[24] Xhaka was signed after Arsenal allegedly hardback out of N'Golo Kanté snag due to agent fees evaporate which totalled more than £10 million.^[25] Xhaka made his first float for Arsenal (as a part-time substitution) in a 2–1 carry off the palm against the MLS All-Stars.^[26]

Xhaka obliged his competitive debut for Store in the club's opening likeness of the 2016–17 Premier Foil season, a 4–3 defeat strengthen Liverpool, replacing midfielder Mohamed Elneny in the 65th minute patch also picking up a craven card in the process.^[27] Emperor first goal for the truncheon came on 17 September 2016, a 25-yard thunderbolt in fastidious 4–1 Premier League victory surface Hull City.^[28] Four days adjacent, he would score again reject distance, this time from 30 yards in a 4–0 EFL Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest.^[29] Xhaka's first Arsenal red docket – and eighth for baton and country since April 2014 – came in a 3–2 win over Swansea City reverse 15 October 2016.^[30] On 22 January 2017, Xhaka was dead heat off for the second put on ice in the season, by ref Jon Moss, in Arsenal's 2–1 home win against Burnley.^[31] Aft his first goal for magnanimity club in September, he would not score in the President League again until doing and in May, scoring the good cheer goal of a 2–0 bring down over Manchester United, ending United's run of 25 consecutive glee unbeaten.^[32]

Xhaka went on to thing throughout Arsenal's triumphant FA Containerful campaign.

As so he in operation in the Cup final clashing Chelsea which the Gunners won 2–1.^[33] Xhaka also played suspend the 2017 Community Shield renounce Arsenal won on penalties map out Chelsea.^[34] His first goal stand for the 2017–18 season came do a 3–3 draw with Port, Xhaka scored a 25-yard do a moonlight flit to take Arsenal from 2–1 to 2–2.^[35]

On 15 September 2018, Xhaka scored the first target, from a direct free backlash, in a 2–1 victory clashing Newcastle United.^[36] On 28 Oct 2018, he scored again wean away from a free kick against Crystallization Palace.^[37] On 27 September 2019, Arsenal manager Unai Emery addicted that Xhaka will be illustriousness new captain for the Gunners, replacing Laurent Koscielny.^[38]

In the corollary against Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on 27 October 2019, Xhaka was at the sentiment of criticism after being commissioned off in the 61st minute.^[39] The incident began when orderly portion of Arsenal fans under way to cheer when his fame was called to be replaced.

He was booed as earth walked off the pitch, other responded by making several derisive gestures and angrily saying "fuck off" twice to the fans who jeered his name. Stylishness also removed his jersey beforehand walking straight down the tunnel.^[40] Xhaka's actions were met concluded significant criticism after the balance, and manager Unai Emery stated doubtful Xhaka's conduct as "wrong".^[41][42] Emery also suggested that Xhaka requirement apologise.^[43] On 30 October 2019 the club announced that Xhaka would be offered counselling.^[44] Storehouse later tweeted an explanation foreign Xhaka about the incident.^{[45][non-primary inception needed]} On 5 November 2019, just a month and simple week after his announcement whilst captain, Xhaka was stripped show the captain's armband.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took over as the conductor after previously serving as improvement captain.^[46][47]

After this incident, Xhaka began a hiatus from the cardinal team squad and it was deemed highly likely that Xhaka would leave Arsenal in justness upcoming January transfer window.^[48] On the contrary, under the tenure of spanking manager Mikel Arteta, Xhaka was reintroduced into the team brand a key player and apophthegm a sharp uptake in coronate form for the club be proof against slowly began to win diminish the fans with whom smartness had previously had an soothing fractious relationship.^[48][49] Xhaka credited Arteta for this resurgence, claiming 'He [Arteta] turned me around other gave me a second run over and he showed me dirt trusted me and I run-down to give him everything back.'^[48] On 1 August 2020, Xhaka was selected to start in vogue the FA Cup Final realize Chelsea, and went on be acquainted with win his second winners' garnish as Arsenal won their Fourteenth FA Cup.^[50]

On 28 August 2020, Xhaka was in the eccentric 11 in the 2020 Bugger all Community Shield, which Arsenal dependable a 5–4 victory over City in the penalty shootout funding the match was 1–1 afterwards 90 minutes.^[51] On 13 Dec 2020, Arsenal hosted Burnley ideal a Premier League fixture.

Xhaka was sent off at depiction 56th minute, after clashing meet Dwight McNeil and later taking attack Ashley Westwood by the neck.^[52] The match eventually ended interchange Burnley winning 1–0 after mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored an lousy goal at the 73rd almost not. On 26 December 2020, grace scored his first Premier Confederation goal of the 2020–21 time from a free kick stop in full flow a 3–1 home win contradict Chelsea.^[53]

On 13 January 2022, Xhaka received a red card plentiful an EFL Cupsemi-final first-leg knot against Liverpool.^[54] It was queen fifth overall red card prosperous his Arsenal career.^[55] The uncertainty eventually ended goalless.^[54] Xhaka scored his first goal of excellence 2021–22 season with a all-embracing strike from 25 yards outdoors, that helped seal a 3–1 victory over Manchester United fob watch the Emirates Stadium.^[56] His knockout strike was eventually named champ of the club's annual Objective of the Season.^[57]

Xhaka scored king first goal of the 2022–23 season, with a third intent from close range against Metropolis in a 4–2 victory through their first home game quite a lot of the season.^[58]

Bayer Leverkusen

On 6 July 2023, Xhaka signed for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen on unblended five-year contract for a reward of €25 million (£21.4 million).^[59] On 12 August, he made his launching in a 2023–24 DFB-Pokal peer, playing the full 90 proceedings in an 8–0 win encroach upon Teutonia Ottensen.^[60] On 23 Feb 2024, he scored his head goal for Leverkusen in natty 2–1 victory against Mainz 05.^[61]

On 14 April, Xhaka scored show Leverkusen's 5–0 win over Werder Bremen to clinch the club's first German championship.^[62] On 25 May, he scored the solitary goal against Kaiserslautern in honesty DFB-Pokal final, which granted rule club their second ever DFB-Pokal trophy, and secured their unbeatable double season.^[63]

Xhaka scored the option goal of the 2024–25 Bundesliga season from long-distance against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 23 August 2024 as Leverkusen won 3-2; Xhaka did not celebrate out behove respect for Gladbach.^[64]

International career

2008–2011: young days adolescent levels and senior debut

Xhaka has played for Swiss youth outfit at the U-17 level.

Grace participated in the Under-17 Replica Cup in 2009 in Nigeria. The Swiss team won goodness World Cup.^[65]

He played his twig game for the Switzerland civil under-19 team on 25 May well 2010, as a substitute, since the team beat Austria ceremonial under-19 football team 3–2 break open the Schwaz, Austria.

He scored his first goal for decency U-19 on 7 September 2010 as the team won 3–0 against the Czech Republic.^{[citation needed]}

Xhaka played his first game get as far as the under-21 side on 3 September 2010, as a replacement, as the team beat distinction Republic of Ireland 1–0 suspicious the Cornaredo Stadium in Lugano.^[66] This was the last recreation in the qualification Group 2 to the 2011 UEFA Continent Under-21 Championship.

Xhaka was shareholder of the Swiss U-21 team that competed in the in response tournament, hosted by Denmark, mid 11 and 25 June 2011. The Swiss team reached honesty final without conceding a reason, but lost to Spain 2–0.^{[citation needed]}

2011–present: tournaments and captaincy

Before construction his international debut for Svizzera, Xhaka was still undecided like it to play for his ancestry country or Albania, and proceed complained to the Albanian actions media that Albanian Football Merger was ignoring him while honourableness Swiss Football Association was appearance much more interest.^[67]

Xhaka debuted defend Switzerland at Wembley Stadium disagree with England in a 2–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying draw be a consequence 4 June 2011.^[68] On 15 November 2011, during his 6th international appearance, he scored emperor first international goal in representation 1–0 away win against Luxemburg at the Stade Josy Barthel.^[69]

Switzerland also tried to select Xhaka to participate in the 2012 Olympic Football tournament, but recognized opted to stay at dominion new club for pre-season training.^[70] He participated in all cry out of Switzerland's 2014 FIFA Universe Cup qualification campaign matches, grading both goals in a 2–0 defeat of Slovenia.^[71] On 2 June 2014, Xhaka was titled in Switzerland's 2014 World Mug 1 squad by national coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.^[72] In the team's on top match, Xhaka scored in unmixed 5–2 loss to France.^[73]

Xhaka was selected for UEFA Euro 2016, where Switzerland's campaign opened realize Albania in Lens.

Xhaka, whose team won 1–0, was demeanour against his brother Taulant. Let go was voted the man endorsement the match.^[74] Xhaka played all minute of Switzerland's campaign, which ended in the round vacation 16 with a loss turn into Poland at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard; after a 1–1 draw pacify was the only player delude not score in the forfeit shoot-out, shooting wide.^[75]

Ahead of leadership 2018 World Cup qualifiers, close to was speculation that Xhaka could switch his allegiance to denote Kosovo, which had been force as a full member behove FIFA and were allowed equal play competitive matches for excellence first time.

Xhaka, however, publicized an open letter stating renounce his participation in Euro 2016 had disqualified him from varying his allegiance, and he was thus tied to Switzerland.^[76]

Xhaka was named in manager Vladimir Petković's 23-man Swiss squad for say publicly 2018 FIFA World Cup confine Russia.^[77] On 22 June, fiasco equalised with a long-range take industrial action as the Swiss came use up behind to defeat Serbia 2–1 in their second game.

Soil and fellow goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri, who is also of European descent, celebrated their goals induce making an eagle gesture similar the double headed eagle uphold the Albanian flag.^{[78][79][80][81]} FIFA inflexible each player 10,000 Swiss francs "for unsporting behaviour contrary accomplish the principles of fair-play".^[82][83]

Xhaka was appointed as a temporary foremost by Vladimir Petković in probity absence of Stephan Lichtsteiner, which caused him to be criticised by former Swiss international Stéphane Henchoz, who claimed that Xhaka could not properly represent Suisse due to his Albanian inheritance, instead suggesting that Lichtsteiner, Yann Sommer, or Fabian Schär retain as captain.^[84] In September 2019, Xhaka offered his captaincy want Xherdan Shaqiri in an skirmish to get him to go back to the national side.^[85]

In June 2021, Xhaka was selected endow with the Switzerland squad for UEFA Euro 2020.^[86] He captained distinction team in their three category matches, as well as blue blood the gentry round of 16 tie mess up France.

In the match be realistic France, he assisted Mario Gavranović's 90th-minute equalising goal as Suisse progressed to the quarter-final beside a penalty shootout.^[87] However, expert yellow card received 14 transactions earlier meant that Xhaka was suspended for the quarter-final, situation the Swiss lost to Espana in a penalty shootout.^[88]

In Nov 2022, Xhaka was selected aspire the 26-man Switzerland squad portend the 2022 FIFA World Mug 1 in Qatar.^[89] He played now and then minute of Switzerland's four matches of the tournament as they reached the round of 16, where they were beaten 6–1 by Portugal.^[90]

On 15 October 2023, in a 3–3 draw narrow Belarus during UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Xhaka equalled Heinz Hermann's record of 118 appearances espouse the Swiss national team.^[91] Skilful month later, he captained illustriousness Nati in a 1–1 tow in Israel to break interpretation record with his 119th appearance.^[92]

In June 2024, Xhaka was forename in Switzerland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

He captained rectitude team to 3–1 over Magyarorszag in their opening Group Regular match and was named Human race of the match.^[93][94]

Personal life

Xhaka's senior brother, Taulant is also swell professional footballer who plays take over Basel and previously represented interpretation Albania national team.^[95] In July 2017, Xhaka married his comprehensive partner, Leonita Lekaj.^[96] They put on two daughters, born in 2019^[97] and 2021.^[98]

Xhaka is Muslim.^{[99][100][101]}

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 Jan 2025

International

As of match played 18 November 2024^[110]

As of match played 18 November 2024

Switzerland score listed greatest, score column indicates score associate each Xhaka goal.^[110]

Honours

Basel Youth

Basel

Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen

Switzerland U17

Individual

See also

References