In a world where players often chase money and short-term fame, Xherdan Shaqiri chose heart over headlines.
The former Liverpool star made a touching return to his roots in Switzerland—and that decision just paid off in the most magical way.
After spending years dazzling crowds in Europe and the U.S., Shaqiri has now led his boyhood club, FC Basel, to their first Swiss Super League title in eight years.
And he didn’t just play a part—he was the star of the show.
A Dream Season with 41 Contributions and One Wild Celebration
Back in Basel, where his football journey began as a 10-year-old in the club’s youth academy, Shaqiri turned in an absolutely stellar season.
The 33-year-old racked up an eye-popping 41 goal contributions, reminding everyone that class is permanent.
That electric form helped carry Basel to the summit of Swiss football once again.
And when the title was clinched, Shaqiri was right at the heart of the celebration—leading thousands of fans in a joyous, emotional party on Sunday night.
Videos showed him proudly waving a massive flag as the town centre lit up with red and blue flares.
The Hero’s Hat-Trick That Sealed the Deal
If there were ever doubts about his impact, Shaqiri silenced them all on Saturday.
Wearing the captain’s armband, he delivered a blistering hat-trick in just nine second-half minutes, steering Basel to a 5-2 thrashing of Lugano.
The rest fell into place the next day when title rivals Servette failed to beat Young Boys, officially crowning Basel as champions.
From there, it was party time in the city, with fans flooding the streets to salute their returning hero.
From Anfield to Basel—A Career Full of Silverware
Shaqiri’s journey has been nothing short of globe-trotting.
After rising through Basel’s ranks, he went on to play for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City, and Liverpool, where he was part of a historic squad under Jürgen Klopp.
During his Anfield days, he lifted the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup—an impressive collection of silverware by any standard.
He also enjoyed stints with Lyon and Chicago Fire before deciding to come home.
Basel President Praises Shaqiri’s Loyalty and Leadership
Basel’s president, David Degen, was full of admiration for Shaqiri—not just for his performances, but for the character he showed by coming back home.
“Shaq could have taken the easy road, gone to Saudi Arabia or somewhere else just to make money,” Degen told Blue Sport.
“But no, he chose to come back to FC Basel and take on the pressure. He stood tall.”
Degen even joked that a statue might be in order, adding, “Hats off—great cinema.
I told him: ‘I’ll build you a statue.’”
A Career That’s Come Full Circle—With Eight League Titles to Show
With this latest Swiss title, Shaqiri now has eight league championships to his name—three from his early Basel days, three Bundesliga crowns with Bayern Munich, one Premier League title with Liverpool, and now, a triumphant homecoming win.
For Shaqiri, this wasn’t just about silverware.
It was about pride, passion, and proving that sometimes, going home is the boldest and best move a player can make.