Shaqiri rose through the youth ranks atBasel. In his three years playing for the Basel first-team, he was an important player in the team that won threeSwiss Super League titles. He moved toBayern Munich in 2012, where he won threeBundesliga titles in his three seasons at the club. He faced stiff competition at Bayern and did not nail down a first-team spot. In January 2015, he moved toInter Milan for a fee of €15 million.
After half a season at Inter, Shaqiri moved toStoke City in the summer of 2015 for a club record £12 million. After Stoke's relegation from thePremier League in2018, Shaqiri was transferred toLiverpool for a reported £13.5 million fee. He was part of theUEFA Champions League winning squad in hisfirst season. He also won theUEFA Super Cup and theFIFA Club World Cup in 2019, as well as the Premier League in 2020, Liverpool's first league title in 30 years.
Shaqiri was born inZhegër,Gjilan, SFR Yugoslavia, toKosovar Albanian parents.[3][4][5] He emigrated to Switzerland in 1992 with his parents and three siblings.[6] His brother, Arianit Shaqiri, is a youth football coach.[7][8] They settled inAugst, a small town in the canton ofBasel-Country, near the French and German borders.[8]
His father did not speak Swiss German, so he had to start out washing dishes in a restaurant, before working construction on roads. His mother worked as a cleaner in office buildings in the city, with which he and his brothers helped. His father would send as much money back to Kosovo to other family members as he could, meaning Xherdan and the family did not have extra spending money, except for birthdays.[9] He idolised Brazilian strikerRonaldo, who he said played "like magic".[9]
Club career
Basel
Shaqiri started his career at hometown club SV Augst, and at the age of eight he was scouted byBasel.[8] Whilst playing for Basel's youth team, he competed in the Under-15 Nike Cup 2007 and was named the best player of the tournament. Despite having several other clubs attempting to sign him, he decided to stay with Basel, where he played for their reserve team from 2007 to 2009 in theSwiss 1. Liga. Two years later, Shaqiri signed his first professional contract with Basel on 2 January 2009, with the new contract keeping him atSt. Jakob-Park until December 2011.[10]
Shaqiri made his Basel club debut as a substitute on 12 July 2009 in Basel's2009–10 season opening match againstFC St. Gallen at theAFG Arena.[11] Four months later he scored his first goal for Basel in a 4–1 win overNeuchâtel Xamax at home on 9 November 2009.[12] At the end of the 2009–10 season Shaqiri won the nationalDouble with Basel, and a year later won the league title again.[13][14]
In December 2011, Shaqiri provided two assists in a match againstManchester United, with Basel winning 2–1.[15] At the end of the 2011–12 season, for the second time in his Basel stint, he won the Double, consisting of theLeague title,[16] and theSwiss Cup.[17]
On 9 February 2012, Basel announced that Shaqiri had accepted a transfer to German clubBayern Munich of theBundesliga for the2012–13 season.[18] The transfer fee was a reported €11.6 million, with Shaqiri signing a four-year contract with the German club which would last until 30 June 2016, and which paid him around €2 million per season.[19] He faced competition for a place in the midfield from established internationalsFranck Ribéry,Arjen Robben,Toni Kroos andThomas Müller.[8]
Shaqiri did not score his first Bundesliga goal until the final league match of the 2012 calendar year, rescuing a point for them in a 1–1 draw withBorussia Mönchengladbach, leaving Bayern in first place at the winter break.[22][23] On 16 April 2013, Shaqiri also scored in the DFB-Pokal semi-final againstVfL Wolfsburg with a long-range shot. Although he did not play in thefinal, Shaqiri won the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League title with Bayern, as well as the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal title, making him one of the Bayern Munich players to have won the first treble in club history; he added theUEFA Super Cup andFIFA Club World Cup to his achievements that year.[8] By June 2014, Shaqiri was reported to be the most decorated Swiss footballer of all time at just 22, with 13 medals to his name.[8]
Inter Milan
Shaqiri transferred to Italian clubInter Milan on 9 January 2015 for €15 million,[24] signing a four-and-a-half-year contract,[25] though English clubStoke City had previously declared an interest in signing him.[26] With his previous number of 23 being taken byAndrea Ranocchia, Shaqiri chose the number 91 for his Inter shirt, representing his birth year.[27] He was an unused substitute in Inter's 3–1 victory overGenoa atSan Siro.[28] He made his debut for Inter on 17 January, playing in the last 16 minutes as a substitute for fellow new signingLukas Podolski.[29] Shaqiri made hisCoppa Italia debut in a match againstSampdoria in theround of 16 on 22 January, scoring the first goal of the match and helping the team to a 2–0 win to progress into thequarter-finals.[30]
Shaqiri scored his firstSerie A goal on 15 February 2015 in a 4–1 away win againstAtalanta.[31] Four days later, he registered his first European tournament goal for Inter, scoring the opener from aZdravko Kuzmanović assist in a 3–3UEFA Europa League draw away toCeltic.[32]
Stoke City
That is the best goal I have seen this season. He knew exactly what he was doing, it is absolutely sublime.
–Garth Crooks, pundit on theBBC'sFinal Score, describing Shaqiri's second goal for Stoke against Everton on 28 December 2015.[33]
In July 2015, Stoke agreed a £12 million fee to sign Shaqiri, but the deal fell through when he did not agree to the move before a deadline imposed by the club.[34] The deal was revived a month later, however, with Shaqiri agreeing to personal terms and undergoing medicals.[35]Everton had also expressed interest in him but only wanted a loan deal, while Inter preferred a permanent move.[35] On 11 August, Shaqiri completed his move to Stoke for a club-record fee of £12 million (€14.5 million),[24] on a five-year deal.[36][37]
He made his debut eleven days later in a 1–1 draw withNorwich City atCarrow Road, assistingMame Biram Diouf's headed goal with a free kick.[38] On 28 December, Shaqiri recorded his first goals for Stoke, a first-half brace in a 4–3 win at Everton. The second of these two goals was a half-volley overTim Howard, fromBojan's pass.[33] His only other goal in2015–16 was a 20-yard strike againstNewcastle United on 2 March 2016.[39] In total Shaqiri played 32 times for Stoke in 2015–16 as the side finished in ninth position.[40]
Shaqiri preparing to take a corner kick forStoke City in 2016
Shaqiri scored a 20-yard free kick againstMiddlesbrough on the opening day of the2016–17 season.[41][42] However a calf injury ruled him out for the next six weeks, returning to the side on 24 September 2016 againstWest Bromwich Albion where he provided the assist forJoe Allen in a 1–1 draw.[43][44] Shaqiri scored two long-range goals againstHull City on 22 October 2016, becoming the first Stoke player to do so in a Premier League game.[45] He scored another long range strike also against Hull on 15 April 2017 which was named as Stoke's goal of the season.[46][47] Shaqiri made 22 appearances in 2016–17, as Stoke finished in 13th position.[48][49]
Shaqiri scored his first goal of the2017–18 season in the match against Newcastle United, on 16 September, scoring the equalising goal in an eventual 1–2 defeat.[50] On 4 November, he scored in a 2–2 draw againstLeicester City.[51] On 25 November, he scored in a 1–2 defeat toCrystal Palace.[52] On 2 December, he scored in a 2–1 win over Swansea City.[53] On 3 February 2018, he scored the opening goal in a 1–2 defeat toAFC Bournemouth.[54] A week later, on 10 February, he scored in a 1–1 draw againstBrighton & Hove Albion.[55] On 24 February, Shaqiri scored for a third consecutive game in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City.[56] In March 2018, with Stoke battling against relegation, Shaqiri courted controversy with an interview for Swiss magazineSchweizer Illustrierte in which he said there was a "lack of quality" in his Stoke teammates and that even the presence ofRonaldinho would not improve the team.[57] On 5 May, Shaqiri scored in a 1–2 defeat to Crystal Palace, as Stoke were relegated to theChampionship.[58] He played 38 times for the club in the season and finished as top goalscorer for the club with 8 goals, also providing 7 assists.[59]
Liverpool
On 13 July 2018, Liverpool signed Shaqiri on a five-year deal after triggering his £13.5 million release clause.[60] On his debut on 12 August, in the opening match of the season againstWest Ham United, he came on as a late substitute in a 4–0 win.[61] He made his first full start on 22 September, in a 3–0 win overSouthampton, and received praise for his performance which earned him theBBC Sport man of the match award.[62][63][64]
Shaqiri scored his first goal for Liverpool on 27 October, scoring the third goal in a 4–1 win over Cardiff City.[65] In November, he was left out of the club's Champions League trip toRed Star Belgrade in Serbia to avoid controversy over his pro-Albanian views.[66] The following month, during theNorth West derby, Shaqiri scored twice after coming on as a substitute to guide Liverpool to a 3–1 win which saw the club record a league victory over Manchester United for the first time since March 2014.[67]
On 1 June 2019, Shaqiri picked up his secondChampions League winner's medal, despite not playing in thefinal againstTottenham Hotspur, which Liverpool won 2–0, but having played a key role in the semi-final against Barcelona.[68][69] He later said he wanted to stay at Anfield.[70][71] On 14 August, Shaqiri picked up his second trophy with the club, winning theUEFA Super Cup againstChelsea on penalties after a 2–2 regular finish.[72] On 4 December, following a prolonged injury,[73] Shaqiri scored his first goal of the2019–20 season in thederby againstEverton, slotting home Liverpool's second in a 5–2 win.[74] In December, he was part of the squad that won the2019 FIFA Club World Cup, following a 1–0 victory overFlamengo in thefinal.[75] In June 2020, Liverpool were crownedPremier League champions,[76] and Shaqiri received a medal as he made the required number of appearances for one.[77]
Shaqiri's first goal of the2020–21 season, and first goal for the club in over nine months, came on 24 September 2020, when he scored the opening goal in a 7–2 routing ofLincoln City in theEFL Cup.[78]
Lyon
On 23 August 2021, French sideLyon announced the signing of Shaqiri, paying Liverpool a fee of €6 million and signing a contract until 2024.[79] Less than six months later, having been involved in just half of their Ligue 1 matches during the campaign and started only nine times, it was reported that he could return to Switzerland and joinFC Sion. Sion's president, Christian Constantin said: "Shaqiri, lacking playing time in Lyon, wanted to meet. In anticipation of theWorld Cup, he was looking for a club where he would have more playing time."[80]
Chicago Fire
On 9 February 2022, Shaqiri joinedMajor League Soccer clubChicago Fire on a contract that was to run through the 2024 season as aDesignated Player. His transfer signing was the most expensive in Chicago Fire history, for a reported fee of €6.5 million (US$7.5 million).[81][82] The transfer reunited him with Georg Heitz, Chicago Fire's sporting director, who previously worked at FC Basel early in Shaqiri's career.[83]
On 14 August 2024, the Fire and Shaqiri mutually agreed to terminate his contract. The separation was officially amicable, with Shaqiri explaining that he felt it was the "right time" to "explore new opportunities".[84]
Return to Basel
On 16 August 2024, two days after leaving the Chicago Fire, Shaqiri returned toFC Basel, rejoining on a three-year contract.[85] He helped Basel win their first league title since 2017 by scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists during the2024–25 season.[86]
Shaqiri was promoted to theSwitzerland senior team in 2010, making his debut on 3 March 2010 in a 3–1 friendly loss againstUruguay. He was included in the2010 World Cup squad, after receiving a surprise call-up from managerOttmar Hitzfeld. Shaqiri scored his first goal for them on 7 September 2010, a long range left-footed shot, in a 1–3 loss againstEngland in aEuro 2012 qualifier. He netted a hat-trick in another Euro 2012 qualifier on 6 September 2011, as Switzerland came from behind to beatBulgaria 3–1.[88] Switzerland also tried to select him to participate in the2012 Olympic Football tournament, but he opted to stay at his new club for pre-season training.[89]
2014 FIFA World Cup
On 11 September 2012, Shaqiri did not sing theSwiss national anthem in a World Cup qualifier against his ancestralAlbania inLucerne, and did not celebrate when he scored the opening goal of a 2–0 win. He wore boots with the flags of Kosovo, Albania and Switzerland for the match.[90]
In June 2014, Shaqiri was named in Switzerland's squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup. In the team's opening match, Shaqiri was named man of the match byFIFA as theNati defeatedEcuador.[91] He earned the same title ten days later in Switzerland's third group match, for scoring ahat-trick againstHonduras, which included a bending strike from 30 yards, and ensuring Switzerland a spot in theknockout stage.[92] They were eliminated following a 1–0 loss against Argentina in the last 16.[93]
UEFA Euro 2016
Shaqiri scored three times in Switzerland'ssuccessful qualification campaign forUEFA Euro 2016, with all of his strikes coming againstLithuania. He recorded a brace on 15 November 2014 in a 4–0 win over them inSt. Gallen,[94] and in the reverse fixture the following 14 June, he netted an 84th-minute winner in a 2–1 victory.[95] In the final tournament in France, he started all four of Switzerland's matches as they reached the last 16, equalising with abicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area as they drew 1–1 withPoland inSaint-Étienne; he scored again in thepenalty shootout but the Poles won nonetheless.[96]
Following Switzerland's first game at Euro 2016, Shaqiri declared he would switch allegiance toKosovo if their manager would make him captain, in reaction to Switzerland managerVladimir Petković's decision to omit him from that position. Although already an international for Switzerland, FIFA rules would permit Shaqiri to represent Kosovo, who joined the federation earlier that year.[97][98] However, since Shaqiri continued to play for Switzerland after Kosovo had become a member of FIFA, it also ruled out the possibility of Shaqiri's eligibility to Kosovo.[97]
Shaqiri was included in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia. In the group stage, he scored the winning goal as Switzerland came from behind to defeatSerbia 2–1. He and fellow goalscorerGranit Xhaka, who is also of Kosovar descent,celebrated their goals by making aneagle gesture, a symbol of ethnic Albanians.[99][100][101][102] Switzerland captainStephan Lichtsteiner, who is not of Albanian origin, did the same gesture to celebrate Shaqiri's goal, and defended both players after the match.[103] FIFA fined Xhaka and Shaqiri 10,000Swiss francs "for unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair-play", while Lichtsteiner paid 5,000 Swiss francs.[104][105] Additionally, with the goal he equalledStéphane Chapuisat's tally of 21 in internationals and entered Switzerland's top ten scorers of all time.[106]
Shaqiri was named in the 26-man Swiss squad for the postponedUEFA Euro 2020.[108] On 20 June 2021, he scored twice in the 26th and 68th minutes againstTurkey in a group stage match.[109] On 2 July 2021, he scored in the quarter final of the tournament againstSpain.[110] The match ended 1–1 and went to apenalty shoot-out, in which Spain progressed to the semi-finals.[111]
2022 FIFA World Cup
On 15 November 2021, Shaqiri became only the fifth Swiss player to reach 100 caps when he started Switzerland's final2022 World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.[112]
On 9 November 2022, he was called up for the2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[113] On 2 December, he scored the first goal in a 3–2 victory over Serbia, contributing to his country's qualification to theknockout stage.[114]
UEFA Euro 2024
On 7 June 2024, Shaqiri was selected in the 26-man squad for theUEFA Euro 2024.[115] On 19 June, he scored a goal in a 1–1 draw againstScotland, becoming the first player to score in the competition while playing for a club from either North or South America. He is also the first player to score at the last six major international championships (World Cup '14, Euros '16, World Cup '18, Euros '20, World Cup '22, and Euros '24)[116][117]
On 15 July 2024, Shaqiri announced his retirement from the national team, having made 125 appearances and scored 32 goals.[118]
Style of play
Shaqiri primarily plays as aright winger andFIFA's official website describes him as "unpredictable on the ball, adept with both feet, clinical in front of goal and possessing excellent vision."[119] He was described inThe Daily Telegraph as "stocky and powerful" with a "wand of a left foot".[120] He is nicknamed "theAlpineMessi"[4] and "the magic dwarf".[121]
Also capable of playing as anattacking midfielder, a 2011 scouting profile by Jamie Sanderson ofThe Independent described Shaqiri in the following words: "Diminutive, agile and pacy across the turf, Shaqiri boasts excellent technique and balance. He's left footed, but comfortable and equally effective on either wing or as a classicplay-maker, boasting good vision and almost zero back lift in his passing and shooting." He also added that Shaqiri's "tricks," "direct running style," and "composure," made him "a player who's dangerous in almost any attacking area." However, while he acknowledged the young winger's promising talent and potential to become a top player, he also noted that he had a poor work rate and lacked maturity.[122]
Personal life
Shaqiri is aMuslim but celebratesChristmas, despite it being a mainly Christian holiday. This is due to his family who celebrated it in his childhood. In 2014, he cited theChristmas tree as the reason for it, saying "So we don't celebrate it so much, but my little sister loves to have a Christmas tree, so we always get one of those."[123][124][125] Shaqiri was chosen to be on the cover of theFIFA video gameFIFA 15 in Switzerland next toLionel Messi.[126] Shaqiri is sponsored by sportswear and equipment supplierNike. He wears Nike Mercurial Vapor boots, and at the 2018 World Cup he had theflags of Switzerland andKosovo embroidered on each heel.[127]
^ab"Change of association to the Football Federation of Kosovo" (Press release). FIFA. 7 September 2016. Archived fromthe original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved24 June 2018.In particular, the Bureau of the Players' Status Committee wished to emphasise that the players concerned had not represented their previous association after 13 May 2016, the date of admission of the FFK to FIFA. In other words, they never chose to play for their previous association when they had the opportunity to choose to play for the representative teams of the FFK. The Bureau of the Players' Status Committee indicated that this was a key element in its decision on the matter.
^Lowe, Sid (22 June 2018)."Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri stuns Serbia with late breakaway".The Guardian. Retrieved22 June 2018.As he turned and screamed, he took his shirt off, flexed his muscles and performed a double-eagle celebration, a recreation of the Albanian flag. Alongside him, Granit Xhaka did the same – for the second time.
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