Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri (Albanian pronunciation: [dʒɛrˈdan ʃaˈciɾi]; born 10 October 1991) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire and the Switzerland national team.

Shaqiri began his career with local club SV Augst before joining Basel in 1999. He made his professional debut in 2009 and won four Swiss Super League titles and three Swiss Cups during his time with the club. In 2012, he moved to Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League treble in his first season. He spent three seasons with Bayern before joining Inter Milan in 2015. After one season in Italy, he joined Stoke City in the Premier League. He spent three seasons with Stoke before joining Liverpool in 2018. He won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. He left Liverpool in 2021 and joined Lyon. After one season in France, he joined Chicago Fire in 2022.

Shaqiri has represented Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. He made his international debut in 2010 and has since earned over 100 caps for his country. He was part of the Switzerland team that reached the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was also part of the Switzerland team that reached the round of 16 at the UEFA Euro 2016.

Shaqiri is known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and goalscoring prowess. He is considered to be one of the best Swiss footballers of his generation.

Early life

Shaqiri was born in Gjilan, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo), to Kosovar Albanian parents. He moved to Switzerland with his family when he was four years old. He grew up in Augst, Basel-Landschaft, and began playing football at the local club, SV Augst.

Club career

Basel

Shaqiri joined Basel's youth academy in 1999. He made his professional debut for the club on 12 July 2009, in a 2–1 victory over FC Schaffhausen in the Swiss Super League. He scored his first goal for the club on 26 September 2009, in a 4–1 victory over FC St. Gallen.

Shaqiri quickly established himself as a key player for Basel. He helped the club win four consecutive Swiss Super League titles from 2010 to 2013, and three Swiss Cups from 2010 to 2012. He also helped the club reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2013.

Bayern Munich

In July 2012, Shaqiri joined Bayern Munich for a fee of €11.6 million. He made his debut for the club on 18 August 2012, in a 6–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup. He scored his first goal for the club on 25 September 2012, in a 4–0 victory over Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga.

Shaqiri won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League treble in his first season with Bayern Munich. He scored 11 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.

In his second season with Bayern Munich, Shaqiri made 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals. He also won the Bundesliga for a second time.

In his third season with Bayern Munich, Shaqiri made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals. He also won the Bundesliga for a third time.

Inter Milan

In January 2015, Shaqiri joined Inter Milan on loan from Bayern Munich. He made his debut for the club on 1 February 2015, in a 2–0 defeat to Juventus in the Serie A. He scored his first goal for the club on 15 March 2015, in a 3–0 victory over Sampdoria.

Shaqiri made 15 appearances for Inter Milan in all competitions, scoring one goal.

Stoke City

In August 2015, Shaqiri joined Stoke City on a five-year contract for a fee of £12 million. He made his debut for the club on 19 September 2015, in a 1–0 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League. He scored his first goal for the club on 26 September 2015, in a 2–