Granit Xhaka is highly regarded in professional football. He has represented Switzerland in numerous international competitions and is a key player for his club teams, including FC Basel and Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka’s leadership and midfield skills have seen him captain both club and country, making him a valuable asset both on and off the pitch.
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- Full name: Granit Xhaka
- Stage name: Granit Xhaka
- Date of birth: September 27, 1992
- Age: 31 years old
- Place of birth: Basel, Switzerland
- Nationality: Swiss
- Occupation: Soccer player
- Height: 1.86m
- Parents: Elmaze Xhaka, Ragip Xhaka
- Siblings: Taulant Xhaka, Agnesa Xhaka
- Spouse: Leonita Lekaj
- Children: 2
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: £43.6 million
Early life and education
Granit Xhaka, a professional footballer, was born on 27 September 1992 in Basel, Switzerland.
He is the son of Elmaze Xhaka and Ragip Xhaka and grew up with two siblings, Taulant Xhaka and Agnesa Xhaka.
His family is Albanian and Catholic. Xhaka’s upbringing and circumstances have had a significant impact on his life and career.
Career
Granit Xhaka’s journey began at FC Basel, where he quickly established himself as a talented player and won the Swiss football championship twice.
He continued to excel at U-17 level, helping Switzerland win the 2009 World Cup. In 2011, he made his senior debut and became the team’s record appearance holder (as of 15 July 2024).
Xhaka has been a key player for Switzerland at major tournaments such as the World Cup (2014, 2018, 2022) and Euro (2016, 2020, 2024), demonstrating his skills and leadership on the international stage.
Granit Xhaka’s career has been full of ups and downs. After moving to Arsenal for a big fee, he has had a mixed bag of success, with moments of brilliance, inconsistency and disciplinary issues.
However, in 2023, he made a surprise return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. Under new management, he flourished, playing a more disciplined role and helping the team win their first Bundesliga title in his first season. This unexpected turn of events showed Xhaka’s resilience and ability to adapt to new surroundings.
Awards and nominations
- Swiss Footballer of the Year: Xhaka has won this award a total of three times (no specific year, but likely 2017, 2022 and 2023)
- Super League Young Player of the Year: Won in 2012 while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach
- German Champions: Already won with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 season
- German Cup winner: Win with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24 season (runner-up) [based on search results]
- FA Cup Winners: Won twice with Arsenal (possibly 2018 and 2020)
- Community Shield winners: Won twice with Arsenal (no specific year)
- Swiss Champions: Won twice with Basel (no specific year)
- Swiss Cup Winners: Won once with Basel (no specific year)
- U-17 World Cup Champion: Triumphant with Switzerland in 2009
- Premier League Player of the Month: Nominated for October 2023 while playing for Arsenal.
Social media
- Instagram Username: @granitxhaka
Personal life
Granit Xhaka, 31, is not only a talented footballer but also a family man. He married Leonita Lekaj in 2017 and has been happily married ever since.
They have two beautiful daughters together. Interestingly, football runs in the Xhaka family, as his brother, Taulant, is also a professional footballer.
Net worth
Granit Xhaka’s impressive net worth of £43.6 million is largely a result of his successful career as a professional footballer.
Thanks to his contributions to the sport, he earns an annual salary of €4.2 million while playing for Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka’s wealth is a testament to his hard work and talent on the pitch.
