Apr 21

Apr 21 The 5 best Football players to play for Switzerland

The 5 best Swiss Footballers of all-time

As a nation bordered by France; Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein, whilst comprising of citizens with Albanian, Serbian or Turkish roots amongst others, Switzerland is a multicultural country yet still majorly European due to its geographical location.

As a result of Switzerland being such a melting pot, the country has produced footballing talent with various ways of playing football. From silky dribbling wide players to resolute, dependable defenders; old-school #9’s to deep-lying midfielders, the Swiss produce all sorts of players.

The Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) have never tasted success internationally, the closest being a silver medal at the 1924 Olympic football tournament. Yet, Swiss players have often lit up international tournaments. These 5 are the best to have worn the crosses of Switzerland:

1. Josef Hügi

Position: Striker

Caps: 34

Goals: 23

Hügi’s first international cap came in 1951 at the age of 21 years old, and 3 years into his senior career. He was called up to the squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup due to consistent performances for club side, FC Basel of Switzerland.

At the ’54 WC, Hügi started 3 of 4 games for the Swiss, scoring 6 goals. While the team crashed out in the quarter-finals in a free-scoring 7-5 loss vs Austria, this was the last time the Swiss made the QFs of a World Cup. Hügi was the 2nd highest scorer of the 1954 tournament and is still Switzerland’s all-time top scorer in World Cup tournaments.

A #9 with fantastic movement and a good first touch capable of powerful shots with his stronger right foot, Hügi is FC Basel’s highest goalscorer in the Swiss league (245) and of all time (282). He is also 4th all-time for FC Basel league appearances (319).

2. Xherdan Shaqiri

Position: Forward

Caps: 89

Goals: 23

One of the, if not the, most talented Swiss player of the 21st century, Xherdan Shaqiri made his Switzerland senior debut at just 18-years old, in his first season as a professional footballer for FC Basel. Since then, he has appeared in 3 World Cups and 1 UEFA European Championship in an 11-year international career that sees him currently in the top 10 for both goals and caps for the Swiss national team.

He only appeared as a sub once in the 2010 WC as the Swiss crashed out in the group stages, but by the 2014 WC, he was integral to the team. Shaqiri started every game in Brazil as Switzerland reached the round of 16, being named man of the match in 2 group matches and scoring a WC hattrick vs Honduras.

Xherdan Shaqiri - Some amazing goals

The mercurial forward continued to be the man for his country in Euro 2016, starting all 4 games as the Swiss reached another Round of 16. In the RO16 game vs Poland, Shaqiri scored the goal of the tournament with a bicycle kick from the edge of the box, the equalizing goal for the Swiss. They eventually lost on penalties, but Shaqiri stood out from the pack once again.

The enigmatic maestro hadn’t slowed down by the 2018 WC by any means, starting every game and scoring the winner vs Serbia in a group game as the Swiss reached the WC RO16 for the 4th time ever in Russia. An attacker capable of player on either flank as well as centrally, Shaqiri is also dead ball specialist, scoring free-kicks regularly. His dribbling, long-range shots and penchant for the spectacular bring joy to all who watched him then and still do now.

3. Alexander Frei

Position: Striker

Caps: 84

Goals: 42

Switzerland’s highest ever goalscorer, with 8 more goals than the next-best, Alex Frei was called up to the senior team for the first time in 2001 at 21-years old. The call-up was in his third season as a professional, with Frei then at Swiss side FC Luzern.

By his second game for Switzerland, Frei had scored a hattrick for his country in a 5-0 rout of Luxembourg. By 2004, the striker was a nailed-on starter. He started 2 from 3 games in Switzerland’s poor Euro 2004 campaign, scoring no goals but getting a short suspension for unscrupulous behaviour in a game vs England.

Alexander Frei - A new challenge

2006 was Frei’s peak in his nation’s colours, with 2 goals in 4 starts at the World Cup propelling his nation to the round of 16 for the first time since 1994. Though the Swiss exited on penalties to Ukraine in that round, it was a proud moment for the country overall. Frei’s importance to the Red Crosses was to continue at Euro 2008, but the iconic striker sustained a knee injury in the first game which ruled him out for the entire tournament.

Frei returned to make the squad for the 2010 WC, making 2 appearances as the Swiss missed out the knockout rounds. His last cap came in 2011 at 32-years old. A composed #9 who could sniff out a chance, Frei was a capable finisher with both feet. Post-2006, he often captained Switzerland in major tournaments.

4. Stephan Lichsteiner

Position: Right-back

Caps: 108

Goals: 8

Lichsteiner’s senior international career began a bit later than most, with his first appearance for the Red Crosses coming at 22-years old in 2006. The call-up came after a season of consistent football in Ligue 1 with Lille. The defender missed out on the 2006 WC squad but was first-choice at Euro 2008, starting all 3 games (1 clean sheet) at right-back as Switzerland crashed out early in the tournament.

Nicknamed ‘‘The Swiss Express’’ due to his tireless running in both attack and defence, Lichsteiner continued to be a regular in the starting eleven of the national team during the 2010 FIFA WC, starting all 3 games (1 clean sheet) as Switzerland disappointed yet again in a major tournament. Lichsteiner and the Swiss squad then restored national pride in Brazil at the 2014 WC, reaching the round of 16 for the third time in their history. He played every minute of the tournament.

Lichsteiner was made captain of the national team in October 2014. Switzerland continued to their good form from 2014 at Euro 2016, reaching the RO16 once again. The right-back started all 4 games (2 clean sheets) in France, illustrating his leadership and athleticism throughout. He then captained Switzerland to another RO16 showing in Russia at the 2018 WC, being ever-present in all the team’s games once again.

The defender’s last cap for Switzerland came in 2019 at the age of 35-years old. Lichsteiner’s appearances in 5 major international tournaments for his country illustrate his longevity in the game. He was versatile as a defender, able to play across the right flank, the left and even in central defence at times. Lichsteiner is third all-time for Switzerland caps.

Granit Xhaka

Position: Central Midfielder

Caps: 92

Goals: 12

The current captain of the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka’s senior international career began with the then-18-year old midfielder having a very good debut game in a 2-2 draw vs England at Wembley in June 2011. Xhaka was a regular in the team from then on. He started all 4 of Switzerland’s games as the Swiss made the RO16 at 2014 WC, scoring in the 5-2 loss vs France in the group.

The central midfielder, who can play deeper and as a #10, continued to be untouchable in the next major tournament, playing every minute of Switzerland’s Euro 2016 campaign as the Swiss reached the Euros RO16 for the first time ever. Xhaka was man of the match in the first group game vs Albania and his brother, Taulant Xhaka, but unfortunately missed the penalty that eliminated his team from the tournament.

Granit Xhaka is good for Switzerland, not so much for Arsenal.

He continued to represent his country despite this moment of despair, starting every game once again at the 2018 WC as Switzerland made it to the RO16 for the fourth time in their history. Xhaka scored the equalizer in a group game vs Serbia, which the Swiss went on to win.

While he often divides opinion for his club team, Arsenal FC of England, Xhaka has been a major part of Switzerland’s better showings at major tournaments in the 21st century. Strong in the tackle with a good passing range, Xhaka also exhibits leadership qualities on and off the pitch. An underrated player.