Granit Xhaka secured his position in international football history by becoming the Swiss national team's record appearance holder, accumulating 152 caps over a career spanning more than a decade. Born in Basel in 1992, the midfielder transitioned from the Swiss youth system to top-tier leagues across Europe, establishing himself as a consistent professional presence in both domestic and continental competition.
Early Career and Basel Success
Xhaka entered the youth ranks at FC Basel in 2002 after beginning his training with Concordia Basel. His progression through the academy teams was marked by significant success, including multiple Swiss championship titles at U-15, U-16, and U-21 levels. His breakthrough into the first team occurred under Thorsten Fink during the 2010–11 season. Xhaka debuted in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round against Debrecen in July 2010, scoring a goal within minutes of his introduction. During his time at Basel, he secured two Swiss Super League titles and a domestic cup victory before departing in 2012.
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In May 2012, Xhaka joined Borussia Mönchengladbach for an estimated fee of €8.5 million. He integrated into the Bundesliga, making his debut in August against TSG Hoffenheim. Over the following seasons, he became a central figure for the club, starting all 34 matches during the 2014–15 campaign and earning a place in the league's team of the season. His tenure included two qualifications for the UEFA Champions League and a period as the team's captain starting in 2015. He departed Germany for England in 2016.
Premier League Tenure
Arsenal acquired Xhaka in May 2016 for approximately £35 million. Over the next seven years, he made nearly 300 appearances for the London club, contributing to two FA Cup victories and serving as the team's captain. In 2023, he briefly returned to the Bundesliga to play for Bayer Leverkusen, playing a key role in their league title win. He returned to England in 2025 to join Sunderland, a club recently promoted to the Premier League.
International Representation
Xhaka's involvement with the Swiss national setup began with the U-17 team, which won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009. He earned his first senior cap in 2011. Throughout his international career, he has appeared in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, held in 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026. Additionally, he has represented his country at three UEFA European Championships in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 September 1992, Basel, Switzerland
- Professional debut: 2010
- Senior international caps: 152
- Swiss Super League titles won: 2
- Premier League clubs: Arsenal, Sunderland
- Major European leagues played: Swiss Super League, Bundesliga, Premier League
Questions readers ask
What is Granit Xhaka's nationality?
He is a Swiss citizen.
How many World Cups has Granit Xhaka participated in?
He has represented Switzerland at four FIFA World Cups: 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player
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