Controversy erupted over Granite Xhaka. Is he still the right captain for the national team? Or not? NZZ, Weltwoche, and the publicly funded SRF are calling for the dismissal of number 10 as captain. Populist controversy. Because Xhaka is the natural leader of this team.
In Qatar, too, the captain of the national team gets almost all the attention (media) after a long period of silence around him. He’s calmer and more mature, he says himself, until old Xhaka bursts out of him against Serbia. Grip in the crotch: primitive and unnecessary. Wearing Jashari’s jersey is a political provocation that has no place on the football field.
You can and should criticize it. Given the family history of Jaka – his father was imprisoned and tortured in the former Yugoslavia – and the constant provocations from the Serbian side, this is at least partly understandable and understandable.
Jaka’s opinion is direct
Even after losing to Portugal, all eyes are on Xhaka, albeit one of the best. He tells reporters not to ask shitty questions. It is not right. But one can also say: His opinion is unpolished and direct, sometimes rude and almost menacing. But always authentic.
Jala grumbles, criticizes. He also once speaks publicly against a team or a coach. Others remain silent, evade, or try to convey the image of an ideal son-in-law. Jack is not. It has sharp corners and draws attention to itself, which also protects others.
As well as off the field, Xhaka is also on the field. He never hides. Two opponents behind? Xhaka demands the ball, lost the ball in the danger zone? Xhaka again claims the ball with the next action.
Nati is experiencing the most successful era in its history. With the exception of France, no other country has reached five rounds out of 16 in a row. Others have failed earlier in Qatar due to internal divisions (Belgium) or lack of a leader (Germany). Teams that have much more potential than Switzerland. At Nati there is solidarity and an outstanding team spirit, a decisive success factor. It has a lot to do with their captain.
In sports, the internal life of the team is regulated by itself, hierarchies are formed naturally, self-hygiene is merciless. Before Xhaka in 2018 were Stefan Lichtsteiner and Valon Behrami, they formed a bridge between different cultures and ensured balance within the team. Perhaps this Nati lacks the opposite pole to Jaka, who also enlightens him if necessary. Summer? Shaqiri? Freiler? akanji? They all rushed against Portugal.
Nati’s successes have become something for granted. With fans and media. Qatar is remembered as a disappointment. Because of the Round of 16 fiasco, and also because this generation pushed the boundaries. This also has a lot to do with Jaka. When he said in 2009 that he would reach the final of the U17 World Championship, no one took him seriously. A few weeks later, Switzerland becomes world champion. In football. The only global sport other than athletics.
In the 1/8 finals of the European Championship against France, the greatest success of modern times, it is the captain who changes the situation when the national team is on the ground. She then showed in the quarter-final against Spain and in the World Cup qualifier against Italy that she could handle Xhaka’s temporary absence from the pitch. But even when the captain is not playing, his spirit is present. He instilled his winning mentality in the national team.
His confidence is unshakable
Thanks to this, the best Swiss footballer has come a long way. When he was heavily criticized early in his time at Gladbach and sat on the bench, he took a bite. At Arsenal, he too was caught in the crossfire for his red cards before falling out with fans. Others would break. Jack is not. His confidence is unshakable. He goes on and on and on. He has long regained the respect of the Arsenal fans.
It also pays off in the national team. He is playing his 111th international match against Portugal and he (or Shaqiri) will soon replace Heinz Hermann as the national team record holder. A success story of successful integration in a country that has always been ambivalent about its migration history.
Jaka’s performances are consistently strong. He was a regular and leading player in the big leagues for ten years. Arsenal are at the top of the best league in the world, in north London they dream of their first league title since 2004. Xhaka doesn’t wear the captain’s armband at Arsenal. But every goal celebration makes it clear who the real leader of the Gunners is.
Baszler is a natural alpha animal, the rest of the players follow him. Because Xhaka shows results, game after game. And do not duck, no matter how strong the headwind is – as it is at the moment – again and again. He is also the natural leader of the national team. And that is why her captain – with or without fabric on the sleeve.