Granit Xhaka: 16th place in the Ballon d’Or.
Photo: KEYSTONE/EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF
Named for the first time among the 30 candidates, Granit Xhaka is in 16th place for the Ballon d’Or. This top ranking rewards a season that was – almost – all happiness.
Transferred to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, Granit Xhaka has made a longer return to the Bundesliga than he expected. The 32-year-old midfielder was one of the main architects of the double signed by Bayer who did not concede the least victory in the league. The season would have been perfect if Xhaka and Bayer had not fallen against Atlanta in Dublin in the Europa League final losing 3-0.
Granit Xhaka was one of the most central figures for the Swiss team at the Euros. Together with Manuel Akanji, the captain formed a first-class duo that again took the selection to the quarter-finals. He unfortunately did not play a quarterfinal game in full possession of his potential due to pain in the adductor muscles. Wouldn’t the result of this meeting make the Swiss team smile if their captain was able to give his full measure? The question is asked.
/ATS