class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>
Xhaka’s decision to leave Arsenal before the end of his contract, which expires in 2024, is a perspective decision – and one in favor of his family. The Rhineland is the home of his wife Leonita. Nati’s captain met her during his time at Gladbach, when she worked at Borussia’s reception.
“The bond between the two of us, as well as between our two families, is brutal,” says Xhaka in the SRF documentary “Pressure Game,” which was published in the spring. His wife’s father respects him as his own son. In addition, the eldest daughter, who was born in 2019, will soon go to school. Although Ayana is rather quiet and shy, the younger Laneya (2) looks more like him, according to Xhaka. “There’s real steam behind it.”
Leverkusen: Serious run, but image loser
Leverkusen is not among the elite of European football, but it is a serious and well-run club with prospects – at least in the Bundesliga. Bayer has only missed out on the top 6 once since 2009 and played regularly in the Champions League. However, it has been a long time since the last title. Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup in 1988, and the DFB Cup five years later. Although Leverkusen came close on several occasions, he never won the German championship. Hence the nickname «Vizekusen».
In the small town between Cologne and Düsseldorf, known for the Bayer factory, great footballers have played again and again. Bernd Schuster, Rudi Völler, Michael Ballack, Lucio, Zé Roberto, Toni Kroos, Heung-min Son of Kai Havertz. The current team also has talent with Florian Wirtz, Moussa Diaby, Patrik Schick and now Xhaka. It is trained by Basque Xabi Alonso, who is also predicted to have a bright career as a coach.
Ups and downs at Arsenal
With the change weeks in the making, the Arsenal era is finally coming to an end for Xhaka. This is characterized by ups and downs. Negative highlight: In the autumn of 2019, he was again booed by the fans against Crystal Palace when he was substituted and lost his cool. The then new coach Mikel Arteta can keep him from a transfer to Hertha BSC after difficult weeks. Later, AS Roma also showed interest in the captain of the national team. But this extended at Arsenal until 2024.
“It makes me proud that I was able to win back the fans,” Xhaka said at the national team’s last meeting in June. Time and time again he had to endure caustic comments in England, but he proved the lie to his critics and triumphed. Xhaka made nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners, winning the FA Cup twice with them and Arsenal finishing second last season. “Every player’s goal is to improve from year to year. I did,” says Xhaka.
Controversial leader
Arsenal’s time reflects Xhaka’s career and personality, who doesn’t fit any pattern. With his healthy self-confidence, his direct, sometimes awkward manner, he always offends and causes controversy. Thanks to his professional demeanor and leadership qualities, he is also the undisputed leader of a generation that will go down in SFV history as the most successful.
As captain, the 2009 U17 world champion led the national side to the quarter-finals of the 2021 European Championship and to a second round of the World Cup in Qatar last winter. In October he replaces Heinz Hermann (118 international matches) as record international. If everything goes according to plan, Xhaka will also lead the national team at the European Championships in Germany in June. In his new – and probably also for the long term – home.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
