Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder and captains both Premier League club Sunderland and the Switzerland national team. Known for his powerful left foot, long-range passing, and fierce competitive spirit, Xhaka has built a career defined by leadership, resilience, and a polarizing on-field temperament.

He has won league titles in Switzerland and Germany, FA Cups with Arsenal, and holds the record for most appearances for Switzerland with 146 caps. Xhaka has represented his country at four World Cups and three European Championships, including a historic quarterfinal run at Euro 2020. As of 2026, he continues to play at the highest level, captaining Sunderland in the Premier League.

Off the pitch, Xhaka is a devoted family man and an ambassador for Swiss-Albanian identity. His journey from the youth academies of Basel to the captaincy of a Premier League club reflects a career built on determination and a relentless will to win.[edit]

Granit Xhaka grew up in Basel, Switzerland, in a household shaped by his father Ragip's political activism. Ragip had been imprisoned in the former Yugoslavia for demanding Albanian rights, and that legacy of defiance influenced Granit's fierce approach to football. He started playing at age six with FC Concordia Basel before joining FC Basel's youth academy at ten.

Xhaka attended local schools in Basel while rising through the ranks. A defining moment came in 2009 when he helped Switzerland win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, showcasing his ability as a midfield organizer. He made his professional debut for Basel in 2010 at age 17, quickly becoming a regular in the first team and winning back-to-back Swiss Super League titles in 2011 and 2012.[edit]

In 2012, Xhaka moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach for €8.5 million. He developed into a top Bundesliga midfielder, earning the captaincy in 2015 and leading the club to consecutive top-four finishes and Champions League qualification.

Arsenal signed him for £30 million in 2016. Over seven seasons, he made 297 appearances, won two FA Cups (2017, 2020) and two Community Shields. After a rocky period including losing the captaincy in 2019, he revived his form under Mikel Arteta and was a key figure in Arsenal's 2022-23 title challenge.

In 2023, Xhaka joined Bayer Leverkusen for €15 million. Under Xabi Alonso, he was instrumental in winning the Bundesliga undefeated and the DFB-Pokal in 2023-24, also reaching the Europa League final. He moved to Sunderland in 2025 as captain, helping them to a top-half Premier League finish in 2025-26.[edit]

Xhaka is known for his aggressive, confrontational style on the pitch, powerful left foot, and pinpoint long-range passing. His temperament is a constant talking point: he has received multiple red cards and has been both praised as a passionate leader and criticized for losing control. Media often describe him as a warrior or general. Arsenal fans had a mixed relationship with him, but many now appreciate his commitment. On Instagram, he shares professional highlights and family moments, maintaining a relatively private but engaged persona.[edit]

Granit Xhaka commands a following defined by fierce loyalty rather than a singular, branded movement. Fans across Switzerland and the Premier League rally behind the Sunderland captain, their support rooted in his dual role as a tactical general and a vocal leader who refuses to yield ground. While no official moniker like "The Xhaka Army" exists, the bond between the player and his supporters is forged through shared battles on the pitch and his visible commitment to club culture. His social media presence offers a rare glimpse into a life beyond the whistle, sharing family moments and professional highlights that keep the connection alive during long seasons. The narrative surrounding him often shifts with transfer rumors, such as the intense speculation involving Chelsea and Arsenal in 2026, which temporarily turned his career trajectory into a global talking point. Yet, these external dramas rarely eclipse the core identity of his fanbase: those who value resilience and a confrontational style that demands respect from every opponent. This steady, dedicated audience follows his journey from Swiss youth leagues to international stardom without needing a formalized structure or specific rituals to validate their devotion. He remains a figure of polarizing intensity, where admiration for his leadership often clashes with criticism of his temperament, creating a dynamic relationship with the public that keeps his name constantly in circulation. Granit Xhaka is currently the 3rd most famous person from Switzerland, a standing confirmed by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings which track global attention across media coverage, search, and consumption signals worldwide.[edit]

Granit Xhaka's name was chosen by his father to reflect the mineral granite, symbolizing unyielding strength. His brother Taulant also pursued football professionally for Albania, leading to historic sibling rivalries on the international stage, most notably during Euro 2016. A double-headed eagle tattoo adorns his neck, serving as a permanent mark of his Albanian heritage. Fluent in four languages, Albanian, German, French, and English, he navigates diverse cultures with ease. Beyond the pitch, he is an avid poker player who frequently participates in charity tournaments.[edit]

Xhaka's father, Ragip, was a political activist imprisoned in the former Yugoslavia for protesting for Albanian rights. His mother, Elmaze, raised Granit and his older brother Taulant in Basel. Taulant is also a professional footballer who played for Basel and the Albanian national team. Granit is married to Leonita Lekaj, a Swiss-Albanian from Basel; they have two daughters born in 2017 and 2019. The family splits time between homes in Basel and London.[edit]

Xhaka has worked closely with managers Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. He played alongside Bukayo Saka at Arsenal and Yann Sommer for Switzerland. His brother Taulant Xhaka is a notable opponent and former teammate at international level.[edit]

Xhaka began dating Leonita Lekaj, a Swiss-Albanian from Basel, around 2014. They got engaged in 2016 and married in a private ceremony in 2018. The couple have two daughters, born in 2017 and 2019. As of 2026, they remain married, and Xhaka often shares family moments on social media.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Granit Xhaka's net worth stands at $25 Million as of 2026. His financial foundation rests primarily on substantial football salaries, earning approximately £4-5 million annually at Sunderland. Previous tenures at Arsenal and Leverkusen saw him command weekly wages in the £100,000 to £120,000 range. Strategic endorsement partnerships with Puma and select Swiss brands have further bolstered his earnings. Real estate holdings include properties in both Basel and London, reflecting a steady accumulation of wealth through smart contract negotiations and a long-standing career at elite clubs.[edit]

Xhaka has won multiple team honours, including the Swiss Super League twice with Basel, two FA Cups with Arsenal, and a historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double with Bayer Leverkusen. Individually, he was named Swiss Super League Young Player of the Year in 2012 and earned spots in the Bundesliga and Europa League Teams of the Season in 2024.[edit]