Granit Xhaka’s famous will to win, determination, leadership skills and sheer resilience can all be traced back to his upbringing in Switzerland, and more significantly, his parents’ own experiences in Kosovo before he was even born.
Young Granit would have these virtues instilled in him by his parents when growing up in Basel, Switzerland, and they are values that still inspire him to this day – both on the pitch and off it. He says his upbringing shaped how he behaves in everyday life, and underpins his spirit when he is playing as well.
“My main inspiration when I started my career was my dad,” Granit explains.