How does Granit Xhaka compare to other players?
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Early Life
Born in Basel, Switzerland on September 27, 1992 to Albanian-Kosovar parents, Granit Xhaka grew up in a football family — his brother Taulant also plays professionally. He came through Basel's academy and developed into one of Switzerland's most technically accomplished midfielders, before moving to Borussia Mönchengladbach and then Arsenal.
Breakthrough
Xhaka joined Arsenal for £35M in 2016 and spent seven years there — a career defined by the gap between his actual ability and public perception. His range of passing and tactical intelligence were elite; his occasional recklessness made him a lightning rod for criticism. He was stripped of the captaincy in controversial circumstances but eventually won the fans back.
Career
Arsenal sold him to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 for €10-15M. What followed was one of football's great redemption stories: Xhaka became the captain and heartbeat of Leverkusen's historic unbeaten Bundesliga title run in 2023-24 — 34 games without defeat. He won the double. At 31. Then made yet another chapter-turn, signing for newly promoted Sunderland in 2025-26.
Personal Life
Xhaka is intensely proud of his Albanian roots and Switzerland identity. He and his wife Leonita have two children. He has been one of Swiss football's most durable leaders — his 128+ caps make him one of his country's all-time most-capped players.
Legacy
Arsenal moved him on when they thought he was finished. He went to Leverkusen and won an unbeaten title. Then moved to Sunderland. Football humbles the complacent.
Stats & Finances
Career Timeline
Joined the Bundesliga side and established himself as one of Europe's best young midfielders
Signed by Arsenal for £35M — beginning a seven-year stay defined by brilliance and controversy in equal measure
Stripped of the captaincy after gesturing to fans to 'come on then' after being jeered — later reinstated
Joined Leverkusen and captained them through an unbeaten Bundesliga season — one of European football's greatest ever achievements
Signed for newly promoted Sunderland, returning to the Premier League for a new chapter
Fun Facts
Xhaka captained Bayer Leverkusen through an unbeaten Bundesliga season in 2023-24 — 34 games without defeat, a record in the competition's history
He was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in 2019 after a heated reaction to fans — only to win them back and leave as a club legend
Arsenal sold him thinking he was finished. He then won the Bundesliga title unbeaten. Football is ruthless.
With 128+ caps, Xhaka is one of Switzerland's most-capped players ever — an extraordinary run of international consistency
His brother Taulant Xhaka plays for Albania — meaning the two brothers could theoretically face each other in international competition, which they did at Euro 2016
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