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Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger. Born in Gjilan, then in Yugoslavia, he moved to Switzerland as a child and has played for clubs including Basel, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon and Chicago Fire. He has also represented Switzerland internationally, including at multiple FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships.

Early life and youth career

Shaqiri was born in Gjilan in 1991 and grew up in Switzerland after his family moved there when he was very young. He developed in the FC Basel system after starting football locally in Switzerland.

Club career

Shaqiri established himself at Basel before moving to Bayern Munich in 2012. He later played for Inter Milan, Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon and Chicago Fire, and then returned to Basel in 2024. He won major honours with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, including UEFA Champions League titles and league titles.

International career

Shaqiri made his senior debut for Switzerland in 2010 and became a long-serving international regular. He appeared at four World Cups and several European Championships before retiring from international football in 2024. He ended his national-team career after 125 appearances and 32 goals.

Playing style and position

He is primarily listed as an attacking midfielder and also plays on the wing. Sources describe him as left-footed, though some profiles list him as using both feet.

Key facts

  • Shaqiri began his senior career at FC Basel and later played for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon and Chicago Fire.
  • He won major honours with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, including UEFA Champions League titles and league titles.
  • He represented Switzerland at four FIFA World Cups and multiple UEFA European Championships.
  • He retired from international football in 2024 after 125 appearances and 32 goals.
  • He returned to FC Basel in August 2024 after leaving Chicago Fire.

Frequently asked questions

What position does Xherdan Shaqiri play?
He is mainly an attacking midfielder and winger.
Where was Xherdan Shaqiri born?
He was born in Gjilan, then in Yugoslavia, now in Kosovo.
Which clubs has Xherdan Shaqiri played for?
His senior clubs include Basel, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon, Chicago Fire and Basel again.
How many caps did Shaqiri have for Switzerland?
He finished his international career with 125 appearances for Switzerland.
How many goals did Shaqiri score for Switzerland?
He scored 32 goals for Switzerland before retiring from international duty.
What major honours has Shaqiri won?
He won major titles with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, including the UEFA Champions League and domestic league titles.

References

  1. LFChistory.nethttps://www.lfchistory.net/players/1329
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, club history, Liverpool appearances and honours, and move history.
  2. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/soccer/player/bio/_/id/136775/xherdan-shaqiri
    Supports: Birthdate, nationality, height, position, and current club listing.
  3. Liverpool FChttps://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/xherdan-shaqiri
    Supports: Liverpool years, appearances, goals, and honours.
  4. Transfermarkthttps://www.transfermarkt.com/xherdan-shaqiri/profil/spieler/86792
    Supports: Position, birthplace, height, citizenship, and current-club status.
  5. Leagues Cuphttps://www.leaguescup.com/players/xherdan-shaqiri/
    Supports: Chicago Fire transfer, appearances, goals, assists, and international tournament participation.
  6. Premier Leaguehttps://www.premierleague.com/en/players/68312/xherdan-shaqiri/overview
    Supports: Nationality, date of birth, appearances, goals, and assists in the Premier League.
  7. Sky Sportshttps://www.skysports.com/xherdan-shaqiri
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, height, club history and transfer fees.
  8. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xherdan_Shaqiri
    Supports: Career chronology and international career details; used cautiously where corroborated by other sources.