Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka was born on September 27, 1992, in Basel, Switzerland. He grew up in a family with a strong passion for football and went on to become a professional footballer. Xhaka’s father, Ragip Xhaka, was a political prisoner for three and a half years in the former Yugoslavia before moving the family to Switzerland. Granit began playing football at a young age and joined FC Basel's youth team, setting the stage for his professional career.

On October 7, 2012, Granit Xhaka scored his first goal in the Bundesliga while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach. He scored against Eintracht Frankfurt in a match that ended in a 2-0 victory for Mönchengladbach. Xhaka, who joined the German club earlier in the year from FC Basel, showed his potential as a midfielder with this crucial goal, marking an important milestone in his burgeoning European career.

On May 25, 2016, Arsenal announced the signing of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Swiss midfielder joined the Premier League club on a long-term contract for a reported fee of around £30 million. Xhaka was brought in by manager Arsène Wenger and became a key component in Arsenal's midfield, known for his passing ability and leadership. His arrival marked a significant investment for the club as they looked to strengthen their squad.

Granit Xhaka played a crucial role in Arsenal's midfield as they won the FA Cup on May 27, 2017, defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium. Xhaka contributed significantly to the victory, showcasing his ability to control the tempo of the game and distribute the ball effectively. This triumph gave Xhaka his first major trophy with Arsenal, cementing his position within the team and earning praise for his performances throughout the tournament.

On June 22, 2018, Granit Xhaka scored a vital goal for Switzerland in their 2-1 victory against Serbia during the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Playing in Kaliningrad, Xhaka's powerful long-range strike in the 52nd minute leveled the score after Switzerland had gone down early. His goal was celebrated with a controversial gesture, which drew attention and was a talking point in the aftermath of the match, highlighting the importance of the win for Switzerland.

On November 2, 2019, Granit Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal following an incident with the fans. During a match against Crystal Palace on October 27, Xhaka reacted angrily to boos from the Arsenal supporters as he was substituted, removing his shirt and cupping his ears. The fallout from the incident led to manager Unai Emery deciding to strip Xhaka of the captaincy. The Swiss midfielder later explained the pressures he was under and eventually apologized to the fans.

On August 1, 2020, Granit Xhaka was part of the Arsenal team that won the FA Cup final, defeating Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. Xhaka played an integral role in midfield, helping to control the game and secure the club's 14th FA Cup victory and his second. Under the management of Mikel Arteta, Xhaka's performance was praised as the club managed to achieve another important domestic success.

On June 28, 2021, Granit Xhaka captained Switzerland to a sensational victory over World Cup champions France in the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16. In a thrilling match that ended 3-3 after extra time, Switzerland won 5-4 on penalties. Xhaka's leadership and midfield performance were crucial as Switzerland overcame the tournament favorites, marking the country’s first knockout stage win in a major tournament since 1938, and earning Xhaka acclaim for his inspiring role.

Granit Xhaka scored a goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory against FC Zürich on September 8, 2022, in the UEFA Europa League group stage. The goal was part of an important away win for Arsenal as they sought to assert themselves in European competitions under manager Mikel Arteta. Xhaka's goal showed his continuing importance to the team as a leader and experienced midfielder capable of influencing games at crucial moments.

On July 6, 2023, Granit Xhaka completed a transfer from Arsenal to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss midfielder signed a contract with the German club, marking a return to the Bundesliga where he had previously played with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Xhaka's move came as part of a squad rebuild for Leverkusen, and he was expected to bring leadership and experience to the team in their domestic and European campaigns.