A Kosovan by birth, Xherdan Shaqiri moved to Switzerland with his family before his first birthday. Growing up in the Basel system, he made rapid progress and signed professional terms at just seventeen. Three years in the first team brought league titles and a growing reputation, earning him a move to Bayern Munich. His first season there coincided with the club’s famous Treble of 2012/13, although he did not play in the Champions League final against Jürgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Liverpool attempted to bring him to Anfield in 2014 but Bayern blocked the move, and he instead joined Inter Milan the following January. A short spell at San Siro produced only one goal in fifteen appearances, and by the summer of 2015 he was on his way to Stoke City in a £12 million transfer. His three seasons in the Potteries were marked by flashes of brilliance—spectacular goals and moments of flair—but also questions over his consistency and work rate.

When Stoke were relegated in 2018, Liverpool triggered a £13 million release clause to add him to Jürgen Klopp’s squad. He was used mainly from the bench in his debut campaign but made an immediate impact. His first start came against Southampton in September, where he was involved in all three goals before half-time. A month later he scored his first Liverpool goal against Cardiff, and in December he struck twice in a memorable 3-1 win over Manchester United. His most famous night in red came in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, when he played the full ninety minutes and provided the cross for Gini Wijnaldum’s equalising header in a 4-0 comeback that carried Liverpool to the final. and eventually lifting the trophy in Madrid, giving Shaqiri the first Champions League winners’ medal of his career. He ended his debut campaign with six goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.

Shaqiri’s role diminished over the next two seasons. In 2019/20 he made just two league starts, though one brought a goal in a 5-2 Merseyside derby victory at Anfield. Shaqiri managed only 11 appearances in all competitions as Liverpool surged to their first league title in thirty years. Injury niggles and competition for places restricted his impact again in 2020/21. Shaqiri made 22 appearances in total, though just seven starts, contributing assists rather than goals in a season disrupted by the absence of several key players. By the summer of 2021 it was clear his time at Anfield was coming to an end, and he departed for Lyon having made 63 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 8 goals and providing 9 assists. His stay in France proved brief, with only eleven appearances before he accepted a transfer to Chicago Fire in early 2022.

The move to MLS gave Shaqiri a fresh start, and he quickly became a central figure for the Fire, captaining the team by 2024. Internationally, he remained a mainstay for Switzerland and was selected for Euro 2024, where he scored a trademark long-range goal against Scotland in the group stage. That tournament proved his international farewell, as his 125th and final cap came as a substitute in the quarter-final against England. Shortly afterwards, he announced his retirement from national duty and left Chicago to return to FC Basel, bringing his career full circle with the club where it all began.

Shaqiri brought with him the experience of over 100 international caps and major honours from Germany and England. At a time when Basel were looking to re-establish themselves at the top of Swiss football after several difficult years, Shaqiri’s arrival gave the squad both a leader and a symbol of the club’s proud identity. The 2024/25 season quickly turned into a renaissance for both player and club. Shaqiri was handed the captain’s armband in several matches and played in a more central attacking role, orchestrating play rather than operating solely from the wing. His set-piece delivery and eye for a decisive pass were central to Basel’s resurgence in the league and their strong performances in Europe. He rolled back the years with trademark long-range strikes and moments of flair that drew standing ovations from St. Jakob-Park. Basel clinched their first league title since 2017, securing the championship well before season's end. They also lifted the Swiss Cup - their 14th triumph in the competition - completing a celebrated domestic double. Shaqiri was their key player and led the Super League with 18 goals, and added an astonishing 21 assists - double the next-best contributor. Big Shaq's return to FC Basel was the highlight of the Swiss season.