Someone like Xhaka: why the Swiss national team needs guys like Jashari

Rocket launch as a professional

Jashari was already the center of attention as an FCL junior. Back then with the captain’s armband around his arm. Always the demanding boss on the field, someone like Granit Xhaka. It was recognized early on that he had an extraordinary personality, a strong will, great self-confidence and a special appearance. Jashari couldn’t wait until he could finally sign a professional contract with FCL at the beginning of 2022. After that, things happened incredibly quickly: regular player, captain, national team, World Cup – in less than twelve months. A rocket launch with the clear goal of getting into one of the top 5 leagues in Europe as quickly as possible.

Now he is in prison and may face the consequences – with temporary ban from the national teams. He’s clearly made a mistake, maybe several, but honestly, don’t we want to see guys with rough edges instead of smooth ones? The ones who make decisions with confidence even when they are terribly wrong? Something that can make you extremely enthusiastic and very happy as a fan? That are polarizing but never boring? I yes.

Xhaka is Jashari’s role model

Yesterday the national team took another step towards the European Championship in Germany against Israel, which starts in June. It wasn’t a revelation. Anyone who watched Switzerland in the second half will not be impressed. It seems that we are currently still far from the top of Europe. Still, it was a historic match: captain Granit Xhaka played his 119th match for the national team. What a number! This makes him the only record holder. And he is much more: Xhaka is confident, ambitious, hot-headed, extremely fit, an excellent footballer, an attractive figure, a provocateur, a leader, a perfectionist… and he is a role model for Jashari, who is ten years younger than him and took him under his wing.

He can still teach the boy many valuable things. For example, how you deal with mistakes or with your own expectations and those of your fans. In the medium term, a mature Jashari could fill the leadership role that Granit Xhaka has successfully fulfilled in the national team for years and interpreted in his own unique way. Jashari has probably thought of that before. He would certainly be confident in this role. And that’s a good thing, the national team needs guys like that.