.jpg) Lichtsteiner withSwitzerland in 2015 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephan Lichtsteiner[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-01-16)16 January 1984 (age 41)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Adligenswil, Switzerland | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Right-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1991–1996 | FC Adligenswil | ||
| 1996–2000 | Luzern | ||
| 2000–2001 | Grasshopper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2005 | Grasshopper | 79 | (4) |
| 2005–2008 | Lille | 89 | (5) |
| 2008–2011 | Lazio | 100 | (3) |
| 2011–2018 | Juventus | 201 | (12) |
| 2018–2019 | Arsenal | 14 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | FC Augsburg | 20 | (0) |
| Total | 503 | (24) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003–2005 | Switzerland U21 | 30 | (1) |
| 2005–2019 | Switzerland | 108 | (8) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2022–2023 | Basel (under-15) | ||
| 2023-2024 | Basel (under-16) | ||
| 2024- | FC Wettswil-Bonstetten | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Swiss Standard German:[ˈʃtɛfanˈlɪçtˌʃtaɪnər]; born 16 January 1984) is a Swiss former professionalfootballer. An attackingright-back orwing-back, he was known for his energetic runs down theright wing, as well as his stamina and athleticism, which earned him the nicknames "Forrest Gump" and "The SwissExpress".[4]
He began his professional career withGrasshopper, winning a league title in2002–03, and moved toLille in 2005, helping the French club to Champions League qualification in his first season with the team. In 2008, he joined Italian clubLazio, and won both theCoppa Italia andSupercoppa Italiana the following year. In 2011, he signed forJuventus for a fee of €10 million. He played 257 total games for the Turin side over seven years and won 14 trophies, including theSerie A title in each of his seasons with the team. In the summer of 2018, he was signed byPremier League sideArsenal, where he spent a season before moving to German clubAugsburg the following summer. Lichsteiner announced his retirement from football after a season at the club.
A full international from 2006 to 2019, Lichtsteiner earned108 caps for Switzerland, making him their third most-capped player of all time. He represented his country at twoUEFA European Championships and threeFIFA World Cups. In 2015, he was namedSwiss Footballer of the Year.
Lichtsteiner was born inAdligenswil,Canton of Lucerne and played for the local football club. He left home as a teenager to play forGrasshopper Zürich. While living inZürich he completed a banking apprenticeship withCredit Suisse but ultimately chose a career in football.[5]
Lichtsteiner made his first team debut withGrasshopper Zürich during the2001–02 season in the former Nationalliga A (now theSwiss Super League) but only made one league appearance. The following season, he began to establish himself as a first team regular and helped the club to the league title.[5]
During the 2004–05 season Lichtsteiner sealed a transfer to French sideLille OSC as one of five Swiss players to enterLigue 1 in the summer of 2005. He became a regular in his first season and helped Lille to a third-place finish to secure a Champions League spot. His last season ended disappointingly as Lille finished seventh in the league and missed out on European football next season by a single point. However, Lichtsteiner ended the season with 4 goals, his highest tally.[6]
After some good performances atUEFA Euro 2008, several clubs, includingParis Saint-Germain andEverton, expressed interest in signing Lichtsteiner.[7] He rejected PSG's bid and, in July, signed a four-year contract with Italian sideS.S. Lazio for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €1.5 million[8] as a replacement for fellow Swiss internationalValon Behrami, who went toWest Ham United.[9] In the AprilDerby della Capitale against cross-city rivalsRoma, he scored his first goal to put Lazio 3–1 up in a heated derby encounter, which ended in a 4–2 win to Lazio, and resulted in numerous bookings.[10] Lichtsteiner himself was also booked for a heated confrontation with Roma defenderChristian Panucci, after the Italian had fouled him.[11] During the season, Lichtsteiner formed an attacking tandem down the flanks with Serbian international full-backAleksandar Kolarov on the other side of the pitch. Although Lazio finished tenth, they ended the season on a high by winning theCoppa Italia, and thus earning a place in theUEFA Europa League the next season. He played a part in Lazio's successful campaign, scoring in the penalty shoot-out againstSampdoria in thefinal, and also claimed theSupercoppa Italiana at the beginning of the next season. After Kolarov's departure, his future at Lazio became increasingly in doubt, as several clubs expressed interest in him. At the end of the 2010–11 season, he opted not to see out the final year of his contract, despite theBiancocelesti qualifying for the Europa League.[12]
On 27 June 2011,Juventus confirmed that Lichtsteiner had undergone a medical inTurin and reached an agreement with Lazio to pay €10 million in three installments.[13] The transfer was confirmed on 1 July 2011. He marked his debut on 11 September 2011 againstParma by scoring the first goal in the 4–1 home victory, the first league goal to be scored in Juventus' newstadium.[14]Juventus went on to win theScudetto and he played a vital part in their strong defensive record, only missing a handful of matches through injury and suspensions.[4]Lichtsteiner repeated his opening matchday feat the following season by converting his left-sided counterpartKwadwo Asamoah's pass in the 2–0 win.[15] He played fewer matches during2013–14 season due to injuries but contributed three goals in all competitions and won his third consecutiveSerie A title. Hiscrossing and ball-playing ability from the right flank, as well as his ability to make attacking runs to get on the end ofAndrea Pirlo's long passes, came to the fore as a right-sided wing-back inAntonio Conte's3–5–2 formation.[16] As a result, he finished the season as Juventus's top assist-maker in the league, alongsidePaul Pogba, with eight.[17][18]
On 6 June 2015, Lichtsteiner started for Juventus in the2015 UEFA Champions League Final as the team were defeated 3–1 byBarcelona at Berlin'sOlympiastadion; he was involved inÁlvaro Morata's temporary equalising goal.[19] On 23 September 2015, Lichtsteiner was substituted at half time during a league match againstFrosinone due to breathing difficulty. It was later necessary for heart surgery to be performed to correctcardiac arrhythmia, which caused him to be out for a month.[20] On 3 November 2015, Lichtsteiner returned from injury, starting againstBorussia Mönchengladbach in the2015–16 Champions League and scoring the equalizing goal in the 44th minute of a 1–1 away draw[21] which was later voted one of the best goals of the tournament that season.[22]
At the beginning of the 2016–17 season, Lichtsteiner was excluded from Juventus's squad for theUEFA Champions League group stage;[23] this was due to the fact that the club had signed rightbackDani Alves, and had already filled their squad quota, as Juventus were also required to have four club youth products in the 25-men squad, even though initially the only former youth product in the first team wasClaudio Marchisio. Thus, Lichtsteiner was excluded to make way for other players.[24][25] Juventus had also re-signedJuan Cuadrado on loan, which meant that Lichsteiner would face competition for the starting right fullback/wingback/winger position, leading to rumours that he would be leaving the club; nevertheless, he later stated that he would be remaining with Juventus.[26][27] Despite competition for a starting spot, Lichtsteiner took part in the2016 Supercoppa Italiana on 23 December 2016, as one of the starting eleven, as Juventus lost toAC Milan on penalties.[28] On 2 February 2017, Lichsteiner renewed his contract until 30 June 2018.[29]
On 1 September, Licthsteiner was not included in the Juventus's squad for theUEFA Champions League group stage again.[30] On 9 September, Licthsteiner played his first match as team'scaptain in a 3–0 win againstChievo.[31] On 7 March 2018, Lichtsteiner made his 250th appearance for Juventus in a 2–1 win overTottenham atWembley Stadium, in the second leg of the round of 16 of theUEFA Champions League, coming off the bench in the second half to help createGonzalo Higuaín's goal.[32][33][34] He made his 200th Serie A appearance with the club in a 3–1 home win overBologna on 5 May, after which he announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.[35] On 19 May, Lichtsteiner made his 257th and final appearance for Juventus in the last match of the season in a 2–1 home win overVerona as the club celebrated winning their seventh consecutive league title; during the same match, he missed a penalty, and was given a send-off later during the game when he came off, despite Juventus having already made all three substitutions.[36] In this season, Lichsteiner won his seventh scudetto of his career becoming the non-Italian footballer with the most Serie A won.[37]
On 5 June 2018, Lichtsteiner signed forArsenal on a free transfer.[38] He made his Arsenal debut on 12 August, coming on as a substitute in the 35th minute for the injuredAinsley Maitland-Niles in an eventual 2–0 home defeat toManchester City.[39] On 31 October, Lichtsteiner scored his only goal for Arsenal in the first half of a 2–1 home win overBlackpool in the fourth round of the2018–19EFL Cup.[40] On 3 June 2019, it was announced that Lichtsteiner would leave Arsenal after just one season at the club.[41]
On 19 August 2019,Bundesliga side FC Augsburg announced the signing of Lichtsteiner on a free transfer for the2019–20 season.[42] He made his debut five days later in a 1–1 home draw with1. FC Union Berlin, becoming the club's oldest ever player at 36 years and six months.[43]
On 12 August 2020, Lichtsteiner announced that he would retire from football.[44]
%2c_Stephan_Lichtsteiner_(R)_-_Switzerland_vs._Argentina%2c_29th_February_2012.jpg)
A former youth international, Lichtsteiner played in the1999 U16 and the2004 U21 European Championships. He was first called up to thesenior squad on two occasions in 2005 but was an unused substitute both times. On 11 November 2006, he made his senior debut in a friendly againstBrazil which ended in a 2–1 loss.
Although he missed out on the2006 World Cup, Lichtsteiner was given a chance to prove himself as first choice right backPhilipp Degen was out with long-term injury.[45] In May,Köbi Kuhn named him in the squad for theEuro 2008. He played every match at the tournament and eventually replaced Degen as first choice right back. Switzerland ended the tournament with two losses and a win. He retained his starting place under new managerOttmar Hitzfeld and played every minute in 8 of the 102010 World Cup qualifiers.
Lichtsteiner played seven games inUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying, with the Swiss failing to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine. He scored his first international goal on 11 October 2010 in the final game, a 2–0 win overMontenegro inBasel.[46] In2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, he played eight full matches in a successful campaign, scoring two first-half goals on 6 September 2013 in a 4–4 draw withIceland at theStade de Suisse.[47] ManagerVladimir Petković named him in the 23-man squad for thefinals in Brazil,[48] where he played every minute in a run to the last 16.
Due to injury to regular captainGökhan Inler, Lichtsteiner wore the Swiss armband for the first time on 14 October 2014 in his 70th match, a 4–0 away win overSan Marino inUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying.[49] Prior to thefinals in France Lichtsteiner was made permanent captain as Inler was dropped due to lack of playing time at club level.[50] The Swiss made it out of the group stage and facedPoland in the Round of 16. With the score at 1–1, the match was decided bypenalties, and Lichtsteiner took first and scored but the Swiss lost asGranit Xhaka missed.[51]
In2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Lichtsteiner scored in home wins over theFaroe Islands,Andorra andHungary, as the Swiss qualified through the play-offs.[52][53][54] He was named in Petković's 23-man squad for thefinals in Russia.[55] On 8 June, in the final warm-up game againstJapan, he became the fourth Swiss to earn100 international caps in the 2–0 victory.[56] He was fined 5,000Swiss francs after the 2–1 group win overSerbia for joiningXherdan Shaqiri andGranit Xhaka in their controversial goal celebrations and later defended their actions.[57]
On 1 February 2022, Licthsteiner was appointed asBasel under-15s team coach.[58]
A dynamic, hard-working, consistent, and versatile defender, Lichtsteiner was capable of playing anywhere along the right flank, and had been deployed as an attackingfull-back orwing-back in a four-man back-line, or also aswinger in a 3–5–2 formation. Although he predominantly played on the right, he was also used on the left flank on occasion, or even as a makeshiftcentre-back. A quick, physically strong, tenacious, and tactically intelligent player, he was known for his energetic runs up and down the wing, which enabled him to exploit spaces and get on the end of long balls, thus enabling him to help out at both ends of the pitch and cover the right flank effectively. His stamina, dedication and athleticism earned him the nicknames "Forrest Gump" and "The SwissExpress".[4][59][60] Although not particularly skilful from a technical standpoint, Lichsteiner was capable of linking up with teammates and making attacking runs to get on the end of passes, which enabled him to get into positions from which he could create chances for strikers with crosses from the touchline, or even score goals himself; while he was mainly regarded for his offensive contribution, he was also known for being reliable defensively. However, at times Lichsteiner also drew criticism in the media for lacking composure under pressure, being too rash and aggressive in his challenges, and prone to defensive errors, as well as for being inconsistent in his crossing and distribution from the right wing.[16][61][62][63][64][65][66]
Lichtsteiner has been described by former FIFA refereeJonas Eriksson as the most disagreeable player he has met. According to Eriksson, Lichtsteiner "is angry and grumpy. I try to explain, I try to be humble, but he's hard to make contact with. It creates a bad atmosphere."[67]
Lichtsteiner is married to Manuela Markworth, an economist and fitness instructor. They have a daughter[68][69] and a son.[70]
Lichtsteiner acquired the nickname "Forrest Gump" from Lazio-supporting Radio Sei commentator Guido de Angelis after making a run down his flank to score in the 4–2 derby victory over crosstown rivalsA.S. Roma.[71] His runs and athleticism has also earned him the nickname "The Swiss Express" since moving to Juventus.[4]
In 2021, Lichtsteiner joined the board of directors ofice hockey clubHC Lugano.[72]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Grasshopper | 2001–02 | Swiss Super League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2002–03 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | ||||
| 2003–04 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | 4[b] | 0 | — | 34 | 2 | ||||
| 2004–05 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 79 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | — | 90 | 4 | ||||
| Lille | 2005–06 | Ligue 1 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8[c] | 0 | — | 43 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | |||
| 2007–08 | 34 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 5 | ||||
| Total | 89 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | — | 113 | 6 | |||
| Lazio | 2008–09 | Serie A | 33 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 39 | 1 | |||
| 2009–10 | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 7[e] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 43 | 2 | |||
| 2010–11 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 35 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 100 | 3 | 9 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 117 | 3 | |||
| Juventus | 2011–12 | Serie A | 35 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 38 | 2 | |||
| 2012–13 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 36 | 4 | |||
| 2013–14 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 7[g] | 0 | 1[f] | 1 | 36 | 3 | |||
| 2014–15 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 13[d] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 49 | 3 | |||
| 2015–16 | 26 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 6[d] | 1 | 1[f] | 0 | 37 | 2 | |||
| 2016–17 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 30 | 1 | |||
| 2017–18 | 27 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |||
| Total | 201 | 12 | 17 | 1 | — | 35 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 257 | 15 | |||
| Arsenal | 2018–19 | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6[e] | 0 | — | 23 | 1 | |
| FC Augsburg | 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 20 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 503 | 24 | 40 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 65 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 621 | 29 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 108 | 8 | |
Switzerland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lichtsteiner's goal.[73][76]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 October 2011 | St. Jakob Park,Basel, Switzerland | 43 |  Montenegro | 2–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 2 | 26 May 2012 | 47 |  Germany | 4–2 | 5–3 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 6 September 2013 | Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf,Bern, Switzerland | 59 |  Iceland | 1–1 | 4–4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 3–1 | ||||||
| 5 | 3 June 2014 | Swissporarena,Lucerne, Switzerland | 63 |  Peru | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 6 | 13 November 2016 | 88 |  Faroe Islands | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 7 | 31 August 2017 | kybunpark,St. Gallen, Switzerland | 91 |  Andorra | 3–0 | 3–0 | |
| 8 | 7 October 2017 | St. Jakob Park, Basel, Switzerland | 93 |  Hungary | 5–1 | 5–2 |
Grasshopper[73]
Lazio[73]
Juventus[73]
Arsenal
Individual
Switzerland squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
