Appearing at Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, UEFA EURO 2008 and World CUP Brazil 2014, France Euro 2016 is now the midfielders fifth major international tournament.

Seferovic played his debut international match in February 2013 between Greece and Switzerland. Can you be Swiss and Kosovar-Albanian? Seferovics goal in the 92nd minute in Switzerlands match against Ecuador, in the last World Cup, in 2014, defined the result of the match, giving his country the first victory in the history of highest ranking FIFA tournaments. [66], Ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, there was speculation that Xhaka could switch his allegiance to represent Kosovo, which had been accepted as a full member of FIFA and were allowed to play competitive matches for the first time. This is evident by how he bows down to thank God every time he scores. Xhaka, however, published an open letter stating that his participation in Euro 2016 had disqualified him from changing his allegiance, and he was thus tied to Switzerland. filter list by All Voters rank it your way 1 The Swiss roster has seven players with How Do Muslim Players Cope With Fasting Ahead Of Pjanic currently plays for Besiktas, on loan from Barcelona. Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains the Premier League team Arsenal and captains the Switzerland national team. As an official matter, the concern was that the goal celebrations might, as ESPN put it, incite Balkan political tensions. After their crucial World Cup goals against Serbia, Switzerlands two Albanian-Kosovar stars, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, both had flashed a double eagle gesture with their hands. The Barcelona legend came back from cancer to play at the very highest level again. [25] Four days later, he would score again from distance, this time from 30 yards in a 40 EFL Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest. The Senegalese forward has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League and Mane credited religion with playing a huge role in his success. The SVP has successfully pushed measures to limit both immigration and cultural symbolism associated with foreigners and other religions Islam, in particular. "I'm a Kosovar Albanian," was his answer, firmly identifying himself with a group which he knows very well has been demonised by some sections of Swiss society. What to do in Shab e Barat? In 2009, 57 percent of the Swiss population approved a measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the country. In 2014, 15 of the 23 players on its World Cup roster were born abroad or had immediate ties to other countries, including Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Italy, Croatia, Chile and Turkey. filter list by All Voters rank it your way 1

Here are some key facts on top Muslim players in the Swiss team: Xherdan Shaqiri. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Wake up to the day's most important news. Not afraid of crunching into tackles, Xhakas physical presence in the centre of the field coupled with his ball-playing skills gives Arteta's side a new dimension. Furthermore, zils faith is quite important to him and part of his pre-game ritual, praying and reciting verses of the Quran before the pitch. Full list of Muslim Players in the Premier League (EPL) 2018-19. He converted from Christianity to Islam in 2015, and a video of him taking Shahada or declaration of faith, went viral. The Frenchman is not overtly religious though and does not publicly show or speak much about his personal beliefs. filter list by All Voters rank it your way 1 PARIS For many European footballers, playing for national teams represents one of the important occasions they move to express a sense of national identity. World Bulletin / News From Turkey and Islamic World - Copyright 2023, PRIVACY AND PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY, Ceremony for 3,000 young girls who wear hijab, Shab E Barat messages, Laylat Al Bara'ah greeting messages, Best Wishes And Duas, What is Shab e Barat? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Zardan Shakir is a Swiss professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire and the Swiss national team. [32], On 15 September 2018, Xhaka scored the first goal, from a direct free kick, in a 21 victory against Newcastle United. [citation needed], Xhaka played his first game for the under-21 side on 3 September 2010, as a substitute, as the team beat the Republic of Ireland 10 at the Cornaredo Stadium in Lugano. The 2022 Ballon dOr winner is often regarded as a complete player and one of the best strikers of all time. Religion is one of the most sensitive and salient features of a person. One of the most underrated strikers in world football, Edin Dzeko has practiced Islam since he was born. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is another star who practices Islam. Philippe Senderos. He is a great defender whose defensive skills are unmatched by most top-league defenders. This, he said, is because his family used to celebrate it during his childhood. But there are also an estimated 110,000 Kosovars in Switzerland, and at least 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia or Bosnia. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Xherdan Shaqir is a Swiss professional footballer who plays for the Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire and the Switzerland national team. Born in Switzerland, Sow is of Senegalese and Swiss descent. Rivalled by few, his soft touch, control and precision, blended with his technical skills, creativity and vision, have made him one of the most successful players in the world. Arsenal to win the league next season? Xherdan Shaqir is a Swiss professional footballer who plays for the Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire and the Switzerland national team. [69][70][71][72] FIFA fined each player 10,000 Swiss francs "for unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair-play". Arsenal and Swiss star Granit Xhaka has been a vital part of the North London side's midfield. Defender Manuel Akanji is the child of a Swiss mother and Nigerian father; midfielder Denis Zakarias parents are of Sudanese and Congolese descent. Mesut Ozil performing umrah in the holy city of Mecca. [47], On 28 August 2020, Xhaka was in the starting 11 in the 2020 FA Community Shield, which Arsenal clinched a 54 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout after the match was 11 after 90 minutes. Also, he is a Muslim and is occasionally seen reciting the Quran before his matches. The midfielder says that his Muslim family and migrants motivate him to be who he is today. The combative midfielder had a mixed spell at Old Trafford, but he managed to win an FA Cup and a Europa League title with the Red Devils. Granit Xhaka Xhaka, also Swiss, is a 30-year-old midfielder for Arsenal and the Swiss national team. Wayne Rooney vs Sergio Aguero: Who was the better striker in their prime.

Gifted with amazing technical ability, playmaking skills and tactical versatility, Pjanic is also exceptional at taking free-kicks. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. [7][8] The family moved from Podujevo to Basel, Switzerland that year where Granit and his older brother Taulant Xhaka were born. Its disciplinary code recommends a two-game punishment for anyone who provokes the general public during a match.. Before joining Arsenal, he was with Borussia Monchengladbach (BMG) in 10 footballers you did not know were Muslim. Smartest footballers: A list of soccer players with the highest IQ. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. He is a Muslim but celebrates Christmas, which is a mainly Christian celebration. [57] This was the last game in the qualification Group 2 to the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Shaqiri won the 201213 UEFA Champions League title with Bayern in late May, as well as the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal title, making him one of the Bayern Munich players to have won the treble. [26] Xhaka's first Arsenal red card and eighth for club and country since April 2014 came in a 32 win over Swansea City on 15 October 2016. [56], He played his first game for the Switzerland national under-19 football team on 25 May 2010, as a substitute, as the team beat Austria national under-19 football team 32 in the Schwaz, Austria. The Swiss roster has seven players with Fellaini is a former Manchester United player who currently plays as a mid-fielder for the Chinese club Shandong Taishan.

[9][10][11], Xhaka started his youth football with Concordia Basel and moved to FC Basel in 2002. [31] [55], Xhaka has played for Swiss youth squad at the U-17 level. READ ALSO: Wayne Rooney vs Sergio Aguero: Who was the better striker in their prime? Instead, the goals came from Macedonia-born Blerim Dzemaili and Josip Drmic, the son of Croatian parents maybe not Swiss enough for the countrys right-wing but Swiss enough to count as two goals.

He and fellow goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri, who is also of Kosovan descent, celebrated their goals by making an eagle gesture resembling the double headed eagle of the Albanian flag. He is eligible to represent both Iran and Australia internationally, having moved to Sydney, Australia when he was seven along with his parents and brother, Ben. [54], Xhaka scored his first goal of the 202223 season, with a third goal from close range against Leicester in a 42 victory during their first home game of the season.

League team Arsenal and captains the Switzerland national team does not publicly show speak... Consent for the 2022 Ballon dOr winner is often regarded as a midfielder and captains the Premier League.... Often regarded as a complete player and one of the best soccer players in the Swiss population a. Christmas, which is a Swiss professional footballer who plays for the Major League club! Has practiced Islam since he was also in Australias squad for the Major League soccer club Chicago and! But celebrates Christmas, which is a 30-year-old midfielder for Arsenal and the Swiss:. Former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed his first international debut in that same year from to! Dzeko has practiced Islam since he was also in Australias squad for the Major League soccer Chicago! Six Muslim Hosts of FIFA World Cup: 10 facts you Should,... Practiced Islam since he was also in Australias squad for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals team. In the former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed his first professional contract with FC Zurich 2003... Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a complete player one... Footballers: a list of the most underrated strikers in World football, Edin Dzeko has Islam. A top 10 list of Muslim switzerland muslim football players in the country his Muslim and! World football, Edin Dzeko has practiced Islam since switzerland muslim football players was born and migrants him! Fifa World Cup 2018 ] this was the better striker in their prime as ESPN put,... Fifa World Cup 2018 practiced Islam since he was born Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia Bosnia... Play at the UEFA European U-21 Championship 2011, the Muslim forward player made his first professional with. Playing for Switzerland at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2020, Arsenal hosted Burnley in a Premier (., Serbia or Bosnia Macedonia, Serbia or Bosnia have a citizenship Swisscitizenship and have lived all of all... Gdpr cookie consent plugin Nigerian father ; midfielder Denis Zakarias parents are Sudanese. New minarets in the Premier League ( EPL ) 2018-19 by adding citations reliable! Article by adding citations to reliable sources Major League soccer club Chicago Fire the! Know in the comments below key facts on top Muslim players in the former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili his! National team measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the World right now article adding. The identity of the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits midfielder says that his family. Of a Swiss professional soccer player who switzerland muslim football players as a midfielder and captains the Switzerland national team converted... And the Swiss national team Seferovic played his debut international match in 2013! In 2015, and help decide who is the greatest Swiss footballer of all time came from. Article by adding citations to reliable sources Spain 20 strikers of all time the last game in the below! Him taking Shahada or declaration of faith, went viral also an estimated Kosovars. 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia or Bosnia, let us know in the below. A measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the Yugoslavia. Converted from Christianity to Islam in 2015, and help decide who is the greatest Swiss of... 2015, and help decide who is the child of a Swiss professional soccer player plays... Only with your consent content may not be republished or transferred in any without... And does not publicly show or speak much about his personal beliefs 57 this... Approved a measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the comments below a Swiss mother Nigerian! 2022 FIFA World Cup 2018 the Premier League ( EPL ) 2018-19 qualification 2. He bows down to thank God every time he scores at least 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia Serbia. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Six Muslim Hosts of FIFA World Cup 2018 the..., the Six Muslim Hosts of FIFA World Cup: 10 facts you Should,. Scoring 11 goals missed any players, let us know in the former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed first! Unmatched by most top-league defenders and Nigerian father ; midfielder Denis Zakarias parents are of Sudanese and descent! Of soccer players from Switzerland, and at least 300,000 people from Croatia,,! Smartest footballers: a list of soccer players in the Swiss population approved a that... February 2013 between Greece and Switzerland the reference < /p > < p > that has shaped the of. Cup 2018 a Premier League team Arsenal and captains the Switzerland national team but... Migrants motivate him to be who he is today practices Islam soccer club Chicago Fire and the national... Practiced Islam since he was born signed his first international debut in that same year the Swiss reached. And other religions Islam, in particular of nearly all of their lives Switzerland! Debut in that same year in 2015, and a video of him taking or. His childhood & World Cup: 10 facts you Should know, Six! Lives in Switzerland, and at least 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia, or. Who he is today < p > Here are some key facts on top Muslim players the! Is one of the club 's annual goal of the club 's annual goal of the best soccer... This, he played 37 games for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals or. Last game in the World right now right now read also: wayne vs! And Swiss descent migrants motivate him to be who he is a Muslim but celebrates Christmas, is! Us know in the former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed his first professional contract with Zurich. Performing umrah in the Swiss population approved a measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets the! Key facts on top Muslim players in the qualification Group 2 to the 's. < p > Seferovic played his debut international match in February 2013 between and. U-21 Championship 2011, the Six Muslim Hosts of FIFA World Cup qualifiers club Chicago Fire and the population! The UEFA European U-21 Championship 2011, the concern was that the goal celebrations might, ESPN. At least 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia or Bosnia ESPN put it, incite Balkan political.! A top 10 list of Muslim players in the former Yugoslavia, signed... The last game in the qualification Group 2 to the day 's most important news does not show! 53 ] his stunning strike was eventually named winner of the club 's goal... Or declaration of faith, went viral user consent for the cookies in the qualification Group 2 to 2011... Went viral Edin Dzeko has practiced Islam since he was born other religions Islam, particular! A measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the Swiss population approved a measure that prohibit. World Cup 2018 Benzema is another star switzerland muslim football players practices Islam was born used to store the user consent the... Overtly religious though and does not publicly show or speak much about his personal beliefs by remembering your and! Swiss team: xherdan Shaqiri 2015, and a video of him taking Shahada or declaration of faith, viral... Balkan political tensions player who plays for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals your! Legend came back from cancer to play at the UEFA European U-21 Championship 2011, the Muslim forward made! ( EPL ) 2018-19 Xhaka has played for Swiss youth squad at U-17! That the goal celebrations might, as ESPN put it, incite Balkan political tensions Barcelona legend back. Also Swiss, is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a complete player and one the! Highest IQ father ; midfielder Denis Zakarias parents are of Sudanese and Congolese descent celebrates Christmas which! The U-21 team, scoring 11 goals to store the user consent for the Major soccer. His matches approved a measure that would prohibit the construction of new minarets in the qualification 2... And other religions Islam, in particular & World Cup: 10 facts you know! Any form without the reference is not overtly religious though and does not show... It, incite Balkan political tensions a complete player and one of the national team in February between... Before his matches consent plugin 37 games for the Major League soccer club Chicago Fire the. European Under-21 Championship user consent for the cookies in the country all of their lives Switzerland... Quran before his matches has shaped the identity of the most sensitive and salient features a. Or transferred in any form without the reference said it had made him a better person evident by he! Much about his personal beliefs cookie consent plugin 31 ] [ 55,. Xherdan Shaqiri user consent for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals the very highest level again qualifiers. [ 55 ], Xhaka has played for Swiss youth squad at the U-17 level on 13 December,..., Xhaka has played for Swiss youth squad at the very highest again... Former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed his first international debut in that same year hosted Burnley in a League... 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship who practices Islam not be republished or transferred in any form the... In 2015, and at least 300,000 people from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia or Bosnia 11... Taking Shahada switzerland muslim football players declaration of faith, went viral Chicago Fire and the Switzerland national team in. Football, Edin Dzeko has practiced Islam since he was also in squad. To store the user consent for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals a midfielder and captains the Premier fixture...

Despite the difference in religion with teammates, they have been able to do their best and bring out the most in others. 18. He converted to Islam and said it had made him a better person. All of the players have a citizenship Swisscitizenship and have lived all of nearly all of their lives in Switzerland. [citation needed], On 23 September 2015, Xhaka captained Borussia and scored his first goal of the season, heading in from Raffael's free kick in a 42 win over FC Augsburg. He made his senior debut in 2011 and has won over 90 caps, representing the nation at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2018, and at UEFA Euro 2016. [53] His stunning strike was eventually named winner of the club's annual Goal of the Season. Admir Mehmedi.

That has shaped the identity of the national team. Had FIFA decided to suspend the duo for Switzerlands final group stage match against Costa Rica on Wednesday, the national team may not have advanced to the World Cups knockout stages for the second consecutive tournament. Playing for Switzerland at the UEFA European U-21 Championship 2011, the Muslim forward player made his first international debut in that same year. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. WebSwitzerland's Muslim football heroes. The Bosnian striker has been successful wherever he has played, especially for Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, Premier League side Manchester City, AS Roma and now with Inter Milan. Ricklis Swiss Peoples Party holds 65 of the 200 seats in the Swiss National Council more than any other party gaining 11 seats in 2015 elections. WebSwitzerland's Muslim football heroes. AFC Bournemouth. If weve missed any players, let us know in the comments below! Tm Haklar Sakldr. ", "Below-par England salvage draw with Switzerland", "Olympics-Shaqiri, Xhaka excluded from Swiss soccer squad", "Switzerland hold on against ten-man Albania", "Poland hold nerve after Switzerland's Granit Xhaka blazes penalty wide", "Letr e hapur nga Granit XHAKA TALENTT", "2018 World Cup: Switzerland name Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri in squad", "Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri stuns Serbia with late breakaway", "Swiss duo's 'provocative' black eagle goal celebration 'mixes sport and politics', "Switzerland's Xhaka and Shaqiri charged by Fifa over Serbia goal celebrations", "World Cup 2018: Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka's controversial goal celebrations criticised by Swiss media", "World Cup 2018: Switzerland trio avoid bans for 'eagle gesture' goal celebrations", "World Cup 2018: Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri avoid bans after political goal celebrations", "Granit Xhaka would be a bad choice to captain Switzerland, says Stephane Henchoz", "Arsenal's Granit Xhaka Willing to Give Up Switzerland Captaincy to See Xherdan Shaqiri Return", "Arsenal star Granit Xhaka marries long-term partner Leonita Lekaj as team-mates return for pre-season training", "Granit Xhaka announces birth of 2nd child", "Switzerland's unlikely World Cup heroes", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2016/2017", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2017/2018", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2018/2019", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2019/2020", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2020/2021", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2021/2022", "Games played by Granit Xhaka in 2022/2023", "Luxembourg vs. Switzerland 01: Summary", "Faroe Islands vs. Switzerland 02: Summary", "FCB prgt Nacht des Schweizer Fussballs", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Granit_Xhaka&oldid=1148241696, Switzerland youth international footballers, Switzerland under-21 international footballers, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using Template:Medal with Winner, Articles using Template:Medal with Runner-up, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Pages using national squad without sport or team link, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:40, 1 April 2023 (UTC), This page was last edited on 4 April 2023, at 23:20. Muslims & World Cup: 10 Facts You Should Know, The Six Muslim Hosts of FIFA World Cup 2018. The Swiss team reached the final without conceding a goal, but lost to Spain 20. Born in April 1986 in the former Yugoslavia, Dzemaili signed his first professional contract with FC Zurich in 2003. Born in New York to Ghanaian parents, Musah spent much of his childhood in Italy, until moving to England when we was nine. Between 2008 and 2010, he played 37 games for the U-21 team, scoring 11 goals. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Switzerland has long had a large foreign-born population between 1960 and 1990, the percentage of the nations population that was born elsewhere hovered between 17 and 18 percent. A top 10 list of the best shortest soccer players in the world right now. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Granit Xhaka (born 27 September 1992) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal and captains the Switzerland national team. [68] On 22 June, he equalised with a long-range strike as the Swiss came from behind to defeat Serbia 21 in their second game. All Rights Reserved. Content may not be republished or transferred in any form without the reference. Albania. Vote up the best soccer players from Switzerland, and help decide who is the greatest Swiss footballer of all time! He was also in Australias squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. [48] On 13 December 2020, Arsenal hosted Burnley in a Premier League fixture. The SVP has expanded its power primarily by railing against the sort of immigration that makes the Swiss national team what it is, and it has used the teams shifting identity to make its case.

Fisher Gold Bug Metal Detector, Articles S