Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri

Shaqiri with Switzerland in 2014.
Personal information
Full nameXherdan Shaqiri[1]
Date of birth10 October 1991
Place of birthGjilan, SFR Yugoslavia
Height1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Inter Milan
Number91
Youth career
1999–2001SV Augst
2001–2007FC Basel
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2009–2012FC Basel92(18)
2012–2015Bayern Munich52(11)
2015–Inter Milan11(1)
National team‡
2007–2008Switzerland U1710(0)
2008–2009Switzerland U185(0)
2009Switzerland U195(3)
2009–2011Switzerland U217(1)
2010–Switzerland42(15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2014

Xherdan Shaqiri (Albanian pronunciation: [dʒɛrˈdan ʃaˈciɾi]; born 10 October 1991) is a Swiss footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian club Inter Milan, and the Swiss national team. Since his breakthrough into FC Basel's first team, Shaqiri has drawn widespread praise for his speed, both on and off the ball.[3]

FIFA's official website describes Shaqiri as "unpredictable on the ball, adept with both feet, clinical in front of goal and [possessing] excellent vision".[4] He is nicknamed "the Alpine Messi"[4] and "the magic dwarf".[5] Shaqiri is the most decorated Swiss player of all time and is considered one of the best of his generation.[6]

Early life

Shaqiri was born in Gjilan, to Albanian Kosovar parents.[4][7] He emigrated to Switzerland in 1992 with his parents and three siblings.[8] He has dual nationality: Swiss and Albanian.[9] He acquired Swiss citizenship through naturalisation.

Club career

FC Basel

Shaqiri played for SV Augst's and FC Basel's youth teams. While on Basel's youth team, he played in the Under-15 Nike Cup 2007 and was named the best player of the tournament, and, despite having several other clubs attempting to sign him, he decided to stay with Basel. He then played for their reserve team from 2007 to 2009 in the Swiss 1. Liga and just two years later, Shaqiri signed his first professional contract with Basel on 2 January 2009.[10] The new contract was set to keep him at St. Jakob-Park until June 2014.

Shaqiri made his Basel debut as a substitute on 12 July 2009 in Basel's 2009–10 season opening fixture against FC St. Gallen at the AFG Arena.[11] On 9 November, he scored his first goal for Basel in a 4–1 win over Neuchâtel Xamax at home.[12] At the end of the 2009–10 season, Shaqiri won the national Double with Basel and a year later won the League title again.

In December 2011, Shaqiri provided two assists in the match against Manchester United. The match ended in an upset with Basel winning 2–1.[13] At the end of the 2011–12 season, for the second time in his Basel stint, he won the Double, the League title[14] and the Swiss Cup[15] with Basel.

Bayern Munich

On 9 February 2012, Basel announced that Shaqiri had accepted a transfer to German club Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga for the 2012–13 season.[16] The transfer fee was a reported €11.6 million, with Shaqiri signing a four-year contract with the German giants until 30 June 2016, making around €2 million per season.[17]

Shaqiri playing against CSKA Moscow in October 2014

On 10 July 2012, Shaqiri made his debut in a friendly match against German side SpVgg Unterhaching in which Bayern won 1–0 thanks to a goal by teammate David Alaba. His first official appearance for the club came on 20 August in a DFB-Pokal match against SSV Jahn Regensburg; Shaqiri came on as a half-time substitute and scored Bayern's second goal as well as providing assists for Mario Mandžukić and Claudio Pizarro as Bayern won 4–0.[18] He helped Bayern secure top spot in their Champions League group by winning the Man of the Match award in Bayern's 4–1 defeat of BATE Borisov on 5 December; Shaqiri scored a goal and provided an assist for the hosts, avenging their matchday two loss in Minsk.[19] He did not score his first Bundesliga goal until the final league match of 2012, rescuing a point for them in a 1–1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaving Bayern in first at the winter break.[20][21] In April, Shaqiri also scored in the DFB-Pokal semi-final against VfL Wolfsburg with a long-range effort. Although he didn't play in the final, 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 treble.

Inter Milan

On 9 January 2015, Shaqiri transferred to Inter Milan, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.[22] English club Stoke City had previously declared interest in signing him.[23] Shaqiri was an unused substitute in Inter's 3–1 victory over Genoa at San Siro.[24] He made his debut for Inter on 17 January, playing the last 16 minutes of the goalless draw away to Empoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani, replacing fellow new signing Lukas Podolski.[25] Shaqiri made his first start and his Coppa Italia debut in a match against Sampdoria in the round of 16 on 22 January, scoring the first goal of the match, helping the team to a 2–0 win to progress into the last 16.[26]

On 15 February, Shaqiri scored his first Serie A goal in a 4–1 away win against Atalanta.[27] Four days later, he registered his first goal for Inter, scoring the opener in a 3–3 UEFA Europa League draw with Celtic in Glasgow.[28]

International career

Shaqiri playing for Switzerland in 2012

Shaqiri made his debut for the Switzerland under-21 side on 11 November 2009 in a 3–1 win against the Turkey under-21 side in a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier. He scored his first goal on 11 June 2011 in the 2011 Under-21 Championship opening game against the Denmark under-21 side.

In 2010, Shaqiri was promoted to the senior team, making his debut on 3 March 2010 in a 1–3 friendly loss against Uruguay. He was included in the 2010 World Cup squad, after receiving a surprise call-up from manager Ottmar Hitzfeld. On 7 September 2010, Shaqiri scored his first goal, a long range left footed shot, in a 1–3 loss against England in a Euro 2012 qualifier. In another Euro 2012 qualifier, on 6 September 2011, he netted a hat-trick, as Switzerland came from behind to defeat Bulgaria by a score of 3–1.[29]

Switzerland also tried to select him to participate in the 2012 Olympic Football tournament, but he opted to stay at his new club for pre-season training.[30]

In June 2014, Shaqiri was named in Switzerland's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In the team's opening match, Shaqiri was named man of the match by FIFA as the Nati defeated Ecuador.[31] He earned the same title a mere ten days later in the Swiss team's third and final Group match, scoring a hat-trick against Honduras to ensure Switzerland a spot in the Round of 16,[32] where they lost to Argentina.

International goals

Scores and results list Switzerland's tally first[33]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 September 2010 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland  England 1–2 1–3 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
2 6 September 2011 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland  Bulgaria 1–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
3 2–1
4 3–1
5 29 February 2012 Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland  Argentina 1–1 1–3 Friendly
6 11 September 2012 Swissporarena, Lucerne, Switzerland  Albania 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
7 14 November 2012 Stade Olympique de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia  Tunisia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
8 11 October 2013 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania  Albania 1–0 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
9 3 June 2014 Swissporarena, Lucerne, Switzerland  Peru 2–0 2–0 Friendly
10 25 June 2014 Arena da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil  Honduras 1–0 3–0 2014 FIFA World Cup
11 2–0
12 3–0
13 14 October 2014 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino  San Marino 4–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 Qualification
14 25 June 2014 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland  Lithuania 3–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 Qualification
15 4–0

Career statistics

Club

As of 20 April 2015[34][35][36]
Club performanceLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
ClubLeagueSeasonAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SwitzerlandLeagueSwiss CupEuropeOtherTotal
FC BaselSuper League2009–103245110[lower-alpha 1]2—477
2010–112952011[lower-alpha 2]2427
2011–12319406[lower-alpha 3]0419
Total 9218111274—13023
GermanyLeagueDFB-PokalEuropeOtherTotal
Bayern MunichBundesliga2012–13264537[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 4]0398
2013–14176314[lower-alpha 5]03[lower-alpha 6]0267
2014–1591104[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 4]0152
Total 521194152508117
ItalyLeagueCoppa ItaliaEuropeOtherTotal
Inter MilanSerie A2014–151112131—163
Total 1112131—163
Career totals 156302264675022743
  1. ↑ All appearances in Europa League
  2. ↑ ten appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League . one appearance in Europa League
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 One appearance in DFL-Supercup
  5. ↑ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearances in 2013 UEFA Super Cup
  6. ↑ One appearance in 2013 DFL-Supercup,Two appearances in 2013 FIFA Club World Cup

International

As of 18 November 2014[37][38]

Switzerland national team
YearAppsGoals
201091
201183
201273
201361
2014127
Total4215

Honours

Club

Basel[39]
Bayern Munich[39]

Individual awards

Personal life

Shaqiri is a Muslim[45][46] who celebrates Christmas[47] and can be seen praying during games.[48]

Outside football

Shaqiri was chosen to be on the cover of FIFA 15 in Switzerland next to Lionel Messi.[49]

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 7 December 2013. p. 5. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "The Squad – Player Details". Fcb.ch. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "Shaqiri reportedly close to Atlético". atleticofans.com. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Xherdan SHAQIRI". FIFA. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "2014 World Cup superlatives: From the best nickname to the most likely to put a hole through a goalkeeper". Yahoo. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Switzerland profile – Xherdan Shaqiri". the Guardian. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri biography". FootballTop.com. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Rico, Simon (22 December 2012). "Football : Xherdan Shaqiri, le meilleur ambassadeur suisse du Kosovo". Le Courrier des Balkans (in French). Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Joueur FM11 : Xherdan Shaqiri" (in French). 6 November 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Dreijahres-Profivertrag für Xherdan Shaqiri" (in German). FC Basel 1893. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "St. Gallen 2 – Basel 0". Fcb.ch. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  12. ↑ "Basel 4 – Xamax 1". Fcb.ch. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Champions League – Stunned United crash out after defeat at Basel". Yahoo! Europe. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Jetzt hat Basel den Titel auf sicher" (in German). fcb.ch. 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  15. ↑ "Matchtelegram FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern" (in German). football.ch. 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  16. ↑ "Bayern snap up Shaqiri". ESPN. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Bayern's capture of Shaqiri a coup". Sports Illustrated. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  18. ↑ "SSV Jahn Regensburg 0 - 4 Bayern". ESPN. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  19. ↑ James, Andy (5 December 2012). "Bayern power past BATE to finish top of Group F". UEFA.com. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "SHAQIRI RESCUES POINT FOR BAYERN". DFB. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  21. ↑ "Bayern Munich 1–1 Borussia Monchengladbach". ESPN. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  22. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri: Inter Milan sign Bayern Munich winger". BBC Sport. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  23. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri: Bayern Munich winger interests Stoke City". BBC Sport. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  24. ↑ "Inter 3-1 Genoa: Palacio, Icardi and Vidic score in Nerazzurri victory". Goal.com. 11 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  25. ↑ "Serie A, Empoli 0-0 Inter". inter.it. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Inter Milan 2-0 Sampdoria: Lukas Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri combine in Coppa Italia victory for Roberto Mancini's side". Daily Mail. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "Shaqiri: "Pleased with my goal and the victory"". FC Internazionale Milano. 15 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "Six goals shared at Celtic Park". FC Internazionale Milano. 19 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "Shaqiri treble keeps Swiss hopes alive". UEFA.com. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  30. ↑ "Olympics-Shaqiri, Xhaka excluded from Swiss soccer squad". reuters.com. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  31. ↑ "Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador". FIFA. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  32. ↑ "Honduras 0-3 Switzerland World Cup 2014 MATCH REPORT: Xherdan Shaqiri scores a hat-trick to secure Swiss progress". Daily Mail. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  33. ↑ "A-Team" (in German). football.ch. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  34. ↑ Xherdan Shaqiri profile at Soccerway. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  36. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri". inter.it. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  37. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  38. ↑ Xherdan Shaqiri | National Football Team Player 22 January 2015
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "X. Shaqiri". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "Zwei weitere Nachwuchstitel für den FCB". FC Basel 1893. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  41. ↑ "SFAP Golden Player 2012". goldenplayer.ch. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  42. ↑ "Best Young Player 2012". goldenplayer.ch. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  43. ↑ "Switzerland-Ecuador". FIFA.com. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  44. ↑ "Honduras-Switzerland". FIFA.com. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Uersfeld, Stephan (30 June 2014). "World Cup players to forego Ramadan". ESPN. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  46. ↑ Hope, Craig (11 June 2014). "Muslim stars such as Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Karim Benzema could be affected with Ramadan set to begin during World Cup for first time since 1986". Daily Mail. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "Zauberzwerg Shaqiri: So feiert der Moslem Weihnachten". YouTube (in German). bolzurich. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  48. ↑ "Xherdan Shaqiri - Muslim Player - Praying To God". YouTube. THEGOODISME. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  49. ↑ "FIFA 15 Swiss Cover". fifplay.com. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.

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