Retro Granit Xhaka Shirt – Legacy of a Swiss Captain

Granit Xhaka's journey began at FC Basel, where he burst onto the scene as a teenager and helped the Swiss giants to consecutive league titles in 2011 and 2012, while also announcing himself on the European stage with memorable Champions League performances. His talent earned him a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012, where he spent four transformative seasons in the Bundesliga under Lucien Favre and André Schubert. It was at Gladbach that Xhaka matured into a complete midfielder, eventually captaining the club and guiding them into the Champions League. In 2016, Arsenal paid a then-club-record fee to bring him to the Emirates, and his seven years in north London would prove to be the most turbulent yet rewarding chapter of his career. Initially maligned, publicly clashing with supporters in 2019 after being stripped of the captaincy, Xhaka's story took a remarkable turn under Mikel Arteta. He reinvented himself as an advanced midfielder during the 2022–23 Premier League title challenge, scoring crucial goals and becoming the heartbeat of a thrilling young Arsenal side. He then joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 and immediately delivered the unthinkable – Leverkusen's first-ever Bundesliga title, achieved unbeaten under Xabi Alonso, a historic triumph that cemented Xhaka's legacy. On the international stage, he has led Switzerland through multiple World Cups and European Championships, famously inspiring their run to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024. His move to Sunderland marked another bold chapter, taking the captain's armband as the Black Cats rebuilt in the Premier League.

Xhaka's career has been shaped by an extraordinary cast of teammates, managers, and rivals. At Basel, he shared a dressing room with Xherdan Shaqiri, his close friend and fellow Swiss star of Kosovar-Albanian heritage – the two have remained intertwined throughout their international careers. At Mönchengladbach, Lucien Favre honed his tactical intelligence, while partnerships with Max Kruse and Raffael helped establish Xhaka as a Bundesliga standout. His Arsenal years brought him into contact with Arsène Wenger, Unai Emery and ultimately Mikel Arteta, whose faith transformed Xhaka's fortunes. Alongside Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Thomas Partey, he formed the engine room of Arteta's revolution. Rivalries with N'Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba and Jordan Henderson defined countless midfield duels. At Leverkusen, the tactical genius of Xabi Alonso unlocked a new dimension in his game, partnering him with Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah to create an unbeaten juggernaut. For Switzerland, leadership shared with captains past and alliances with Breel Embolo and Manuel Akanji have shaped unforgettable tournament moments.

The shirts Granit Xhaka has worn tell the story of modern European football. His FC Basel kits, proudly bearing the red-and-blue stripes, are beloved by Swiss collectors who remember his breakout years. The Mönchengladbach shirts from 2012–2016, particularly the classic Kappa-era home tops with their distinctive green trim, remain highly sought after – especially those with Xhaka's name and his squad number eight on the back. Arsenal shirts from his time at the club cover multiple memorable designs, from the Puma-era 2016–17 home shirt to the Adidas-produced kits that accompanied his redemption arc, with the 2022–23 title-challenging jersey being particularly treasured. His Bayer Leverkusen shirt from the historic 2023–24 unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season is arguably the most coveted – a piece of football history in black and red. Switzerland shirts featuring Xhaka's number ten, from World Cups and European Championships, are prized by international kit collectors. A retro Granit Xhaka shirt from any of these eras captures a specific chapter of a remarkable career.