This season couldn’t have gone much better for Granit Xhaka and now is the perfect opportunity to lead his country to success at Euro 2024.
After an unbeaten domestic campaign with Bayer Leverkusen – resulting in a first Bundesliga title in its 120-year history – arrived at Euro 2024 with high confidence.
The midfielder left his mark on the tournament by receiving the best player of the match award in Switzerland opening victory about Hungary and its crucial 1-1 draw with Germany.
However, despite being Switzerland’s record appearance holder, Xhaka’s international career has been divisive, with more low points than highs.
With the round of 16 tie against Italy on Saturday (starting at 17:00 BST), expectations are high in Switzerland and they will be hoping that Xhaka will captain his team to victory and fulfill the potential he has only shown in patches, then distant.
“Success brings confidence. It’s been an important challenge – one that I’ve had to face this season [at Bayer Leverkusen],” said Xhaka at the start of the tournament.
“It’s a pleasure to work there every day as a football player. It wasn’t a perfect season because we lost the Europa League final. But now it’s a new challenge.”
‘Last chance to succeed with Switzerland’
Xhaka’s impressive season at Leverkusen, where he played a vital role in Xabi Alonso’s title-winning midfield, raised eyebrows at home.
Local journalists described it as the “best season of his career” and were optimistic that he could translate his club form to the international stage.
Swiss journalist Laurent Ducret, who writes for Keystone-SDA, told BBC Sport it was Xhaka’s “last chance to be successful with Switzerland” at Euro 2024.
“He did very well in the preparation games before the Euros, but he didn’t show his best level with Switzerland, always playing better for his club,” added Ducret.
This is a view widely shared among supporters.
Asked whether Xhaka had fulfilled Switzerland’s role so far, Aural, a Geneva fan who was in Frankfurt for the group stage, said: “No way, no chance. Not yet.”
But journalists and fans still see hope in Xhaka, with Aural saying they would “make a statue of him” if he took Switzerland to the final in Germany.
So far, he has certainly stood out, dominating the midfield and demonstrating his leadership as Switzerland progressed easily through the group.
“I thought Xhaka was really good all night,” Leicester defender Conor Coady told BBC Two after Switzerland’s draw with Germany.
“He was brilliant in the way he managed the midfield. With the season he has had, he arrives at the tournament with a lot of confidence.
“Having him in front of the back five, commanding people, getting across the field and getting into the box… I thought he was brilliant.”
Aside from an underwhelming display against Scotland, Xhaka has been one of the standout performers of the tournament.
He will be tested again in the upcoming match against Italy and while Xhaka welcomes the recognition for his individual form, he is excited about his team’s progress.
“I’m not a big fan of numbers or individual trophies [like the man of the match awards]let’s put it that way,” said Xhaka.
“It definitely makes me happy, I’m not going to lie about that, but what makes me happiest is the team, how they work for each other and the level we’re playing at.
“Six months ago we were nowhere near where we are today. Our training intensity is much higher than it was before. The quality is much better.
“No one knows before the morning of the game who will start. This is what makes us stronger. I’m happy to be part of this team.”
‘He came here with confidence’
Xhaka’s career has been fraught with criticism and controversy, including his spell at Arsenal, where his temperament was questioned and he was stripped of captaincy after being booed by the home fans in the draw with Crystal Palace.
A similar trend has followed in his home country, with consistent eliminations in the round of 16 of major tournaments – including a penalty shootout defeat to Poland in 2016, when Xhaka was the only player to miss his penalty.
Speculation increased in 2018 that Xhaka might switch allegiances to represent Kosovo and the decision to award him the Swiss armband was questioned by former players including former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz.
But in recent years, Xhaka has turned things around, featuring consistently for Switzerland and proving to be a pillar in midfield.
He has the support of his teammates and there is a growing belief that he is finally playing his best football for Switzerland.
Now, here in Germany, where he has just enjoyed the best season of his career, will Xhaka be the one to inspire Switzerland to glory?
“I hope so. He had a really good season at Leverkusen and I’m happy he finally won a title in Germany,” striker Xherdan Shaqiri told BBC Sport.
“He came here with more confidence – he already has a lot of confidence – but he came with even more.
“He puts pressure on the players and I hope he can take that forward. The national team maybe [puts] more pressure on him now and he has to deal with it.
“But I’m very happy that he won this title with Leverkusen and I hope he can continue like this.”
