Xhaka will captain Switzerland in a historic match at his fourth World Cup
Midfielder has helped the team achieve its best-ever campaign
But Xhaka isn't satisfied and is aiming for more against a familiar foe: Argentina
Ahead of their quarter-final clash with Argentina, Switzerland manager Murat Yakin and captain Granit Xhaka answered questions in the press room at the Kansas City Stadium.
“Now that you’re in the final stage of your career...”
Xhaka quickly interjected with a wink and a smile.
“Be careful! Don’t say that I’m at the end of my career!”
The press room erupted with laughter and Xhaka joined them. Having led his country to the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time in 72 years, the 33-year-old Swiss captain has no intention of accepting that age inevitably brings decline. Time may be moving him towards the twilight of his career, but his football ability and influence tell a different story – he has never looked closer to the definitive version of himself.
Footballers age and mature. Some lose speed, reflexes, fitness or their place in the starting eleven as they get older. Rather than fading with age, Xhaka has evolved. He has retained the intensity that has always set him apart, while broadening his perspective and expanding his attacking repertoire.
Patrick Vieira, a true icon of Arsenal’s unforgettable ‘Invincibles’ side, captured the essence of his game with a phrase as simple as his playing style. “He does all the impossible things that go unnoticed.” The simplicity of Xhaka’s game can be mesmerising, and he has also become the driving force of his national team. Wearing the No10 shirt, he has evolved into a player of all-round influence – the emotional leader and footballing heartbeat of a nation dreaming of making even more history.
The current Xhaka is a polished version of the raw talent who was a FIFA U-17 World Cup winner and burst onto the scene at Brazil 2014. He has retained his intensity, pride and obsessive competitiveness, but has added intuition, vision and perspective to that tenacity. He continues to make his presence felt and compete for every ball, never shirking a challenge, but now also knows exactly when to pick up the tempo, when to hold his position and when to drive his team forward.
“I was a lot more nervous back then,” Xhaka recalled of his first World Cup experience. “It was my first big tournament – the one I’d always dreamed of playing in and which I’d sacrificed so much for.” Twelve years ago in Brazil, Argentina needed an Angel Di Maria goal deep into extra-time to see off the Swiss in the Round of 16. Now as he prepares to face the same foe with more experience and maturity, Switzerland’s football, spirit and dressing-room dynamic revolve around him. “I’m like wine, I get better as I get older,” he joked on more than one occasion.
Xhaka's decision to leave Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 seemed like a backwards step, but he made the most of his move to Germany. Operating in a new role in Xabi Alonso’s side, he won the Bundesliga during the club's remarkable unbeaten domestic season and cemented his place as one of the top playmakers in European football. Following that successful spell he returned to England to join newly promoted Sunderland, who built their side around him as they emerged as one of the Premier League’s surprise packages. “I’m a player that likes to take risks, I love challenges,” he said after his move to the North East.
For years he was seen primarily as a physical and aggressive defensive midfielder, but Xhaka is no longer the player who just protects the system, he has become the one who makes it work.
Now the undisputed leader of this Swiss team, his authority was shaped by the teachings of previous captains before him. Xhaka observed the likes of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Valon Behrami, Johan Djourou and Diego Benaglio, taking something from each in order to build his own approach.
“I had the privilege of playing with some great footballers who also had this responsibility. I learnt a lot from them,” Xhaka said. "It’s an honour to captain this team and this nation, although it’s not always easy because the pressure is enormous. It’s special that we’ve been able to take this huge step forward. This is a very special generation.”
Murat Yakin highlighted the significance of his captain. “His presence is incredibly important. You can feel it,” Xhaka's coach said. “He’s not just the captain on the pitch, he’s also very present off it too. We can sense his presence and just how important he is to his teammates.”
Having played in the three previous World Cups, Xhaka has finally led Switzerland to their first quarter-final appearance in 72 years. The Round of 16 win over Colombia sparked emotional scenes after a host of painful eliminations, penalty heartbreaks and missed opportunities, and Xhaka was unable to hold back his emotions after the game as he embraced Yakin in tears.
“It was pure emotion and also relief,” he recalled. “I was proud, happy and relieved because we finally managed to take that huge step.”
Now, Yakin’s side face reigning champions Argentina as they bid to reach their first-ever World Cup semi-final. “To be able to play against the world champions fills me with enormous pride." La Albiceleste will pose a major challenge, but Xhaka is relishing the battle ahead with midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister.
“I know them because they play in the Premier League. We know their strengths and weaknesses,” he explained. “One of my strengths has been to know when to up the tempo and when to slow it down. I’m a huge fan of South American teams, and even in training they go crazy when they lose. We’ve tried to bring this mentality to Switzerland. You never give up until the referee blows the final whistle. You have to give it your all, keep fighting and bring that mindset and that desire to win onto the pitch. Argentina are a great example of that.”
With Lionel Messi in red-hot goalscoring form, Xhaka shared his plans to deal with the Argentine magician. “I don’t know if we can stop him. We have to be smart, stay compact and close him down quickly so he doesn’t have any space to operate. We’ll try to keep possession. If we have the ball, he can’t do anything,” he said.
In his nation’s fourth World Cup quarter-final, Xhaka will once again showcase the qualities that have defined him throughout his career: his willingness to take responsibility, his ability to organise those around him and his influence in the biggest moments.
An experienced captain who has grown with time, he continues to reach new levels. “One of my biggest strengths throughout my career has been my ability to stay calm,” he said. He will need every ounce of that composure as he looks to lead his Switzerland team a step closer to footballing immortality.
Sources: FIFA Official
