Capital: | € 3.5 million |
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Age: | 28 |
Born: | 10/10/1991 |
Country of origin: | Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) |
Source of wealth: | Soccer player |
Last updated: | 2024 |
Short introduction
Xherdan Shakiri is an active football professional with Swiss citizenship. It is mainly used in midfield. He is often compared to Lionel Messi because he is similar in size to this one and because like the Argentine football star, he is an offensive, technically savvy left-footer.
Early life
Xherdan Shakiri was born in Gnjilane on October 10, 1991 to Albanian parents. At that time, the city belonged to the territory of Yugoslavia. Today it is located in the Republic of Kosovo. His family emigrated to Switzerland. Here Xherdan grew up with his two older brothers and his sister on a farm in the municipality of Augst. His father encouraged Xherdan and his brothers to try their luck in soccer. Little Xherdan started playing soccer at the age of four. His first club was SV Augst.
Career
Since Xherdan Shakiri’s talent quickly became apparent, he switched to FC Basel’s youth department at the age of eight. He was a member of this association from 2000 to 2012. In 2009 he received his first professional contract from the Swiss club at the age of 17. In the same year he played his first game in the highest Swiss division (in the away game at FC St. Gallen) and scored his first goal (in the home game against Xamax Neuchatel). In his first professional season, he became Swiss champion and cup winner. He scored 18 goals in 92 games for FC Basel. From the 2012/13 season, he played for FC Bayern Munich. For the German record champions, he had 52 appearances in two and a half seasons, scoring 11 goals. In January 2015 he moved to Inter Milan on loan. Here he made 15 appearances and scored a goal. From summer 2015 he played for the English club Stoke City. After three seasons in which he played 84 games and scored 15 goals, he moved to Liverpool, where he has been under contract since then. Xherdan Shakiri has also played for the Swiss national team since 2010.
Career highlights
Xherdan Shakiri’s career is rich in success. With FC Basel, he was three Swiss champions (2010, 2011 and 2012) and two Swiss cup winners (2010 and 2012). With FC Bayern Munich he was three German champions (2013, 2014 and 2015) and two German cup winners (2013 and 2014). With the Munich he also won the UEFA Champions League (2013). He also succeeded with Liverpool FC (2019). With the Swiss national team, he became Vice European Champion of the U-21 tournament in 2011. He participated in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and 2018 in Russia and the 2016 European Football Championship in France. At these tournaments he was an important pillar of the Swiss team. He was twice Swiss Footballer of the Year (2011 and 2012). So far, he has been the top scorer of the month at the ARD sports show (with his goal to 1-1 in the European Championship round of 16 against Poland in 2016)
Famous quotes
“I am very proud of my success story. I’ve played for many big teams and it was more than unusual to get there. It’s every player’s dream, so I’m proud of it. ” “Nothing is impossible for me.” “I am the opposite of unprofessional.” “It doesn’t matter whether the players are from Albania or Yugoslavia. It is important that you are a team on the soccer field. ” “Since I was always the youngest, I had to fight for everything.” “It is important to have a coach who wants to win every game.”
Success tips
Xherdan Shakiri has a healthy self-confidence. It is important for him not to put his light under a bushel. Although he is proud of his achievements, he does not want to rest on his laurels and is pursuing new goals. He is characterized by an absolutely professional attitude, a great willingness to train and an enormous will to win.