Swiss media: How Gerdan Shaqiri became “Basel Mesia” after European disappointment

“How the Messiah of FC Basel became Gerdan Shaqiri after disappointment at the European Championship” is the title of the Swiss medium “Blic”.

“Starting with a secret transfer after a European Championship and disappointmentr until the search for two trophies and the historical record of best goalist.

In 31 appearances in Superleague, Shaqiri scored 18 goals and has 20 assist “Blic”, writes Swiss media.

“A possible return of Gerdan Shaqiri to FC Basel during the European Championship in Germany in June 2024 is discussed for the first time.

Shaqiri scored dream goals in the second match against Scotland to make the score 1:1, but otherwise he played only eleven minutes in the extra quarterfinals against England.

He was not in shape and overweight, according to people around the national team, is a reason for his short time in the game. During the European Championship,

Shaqiri gave his usual entertainment press conference, expressed disappointment with Chicago Fire's unfulfilled ambitions and explained he would like to return to Europe.

The first dreams and hopes of a return to FC Basel are becoming increasingly noisy.

After the European Championships, Shaqiri announced his resignation from the national team on the same day that the extension of Murat Yakin's contract as coach was made public.

Then he returns to Chicago, where Shaqiri announces the outcome of his contract expires on August 14,”, writes further.

I think now is the right time for me to explore new opportunities in my” career, the football star said.

Hope of a return to FC Basei was bigger than ever. But rumors are dismissed by both Shaqiri and FC Basel officials as “recipient”, “lies”, <x4desinform” or “The impossible”.

After all, Shaqiri earned an annual salary of over eight million U.S. dollars in Chicago.

Two days later, on Friday, August 16, 2024, FC Basel published the big news about Shaqiri: “Welcome home”, said by the club on social networks early in the afternoon.

Shaqiri lands at Zurich Airport from Chicago and signs a contract by 2027. The sensational transfer was completed.

Even Shaqiri's closest friends and club employees knew nothing about his return until the last minute.

It was a big bomb. Our goal was to shock people”, Shaqiri finds in the current FC Basel pod “Achzädreenünzig”.

In the coming days, Shaqiri's euphoria overshadowed everything in Swiss football, and especially in Basel.

The flame fanella, with FC Basel's new number 10, becomes the most wanted football fan in the country within hours, follows Ina.

Thousands greet Shaqiri as king before St. Jacob Park. He expresses his intentions clearly on the balcony:

I want to take Basil back to glorious times. So that Basil could go back to where he belongs, he said.

The time has come: Gerdan Shaqiri to be replaced for the last 24 minutes of the match against

Yeverdon in Joggelli. Of course, the country's football magician is expected to give his first genius spark.

But that's not what happens. On September 15th alone, Shaqiri scored his first goal in the cup against the Stade Nyonnais with a penalty in the 120+3 minute.

With his first goal, he prevented a possible elimination against a lower-class team and paved the way for one of two possible national titles.

After Shaqiri's debut against Yverdon, three games without victory in the league followed. In loss 0:2 against FC Zurich at their stadium, Shaqiri played 90 minutes in full for the first time, but his influence was minimal.

He stands out, not because of his main moments in the game, but because he criticizes his teammates loud and open throughout the match.

In the next match against Luzerni, Shaqiri lost a penalty strike, which caused many laughter on social networks after 55 minutes of play, it was time for the new FC Basel star to leave.

The first voices and fears are rising if Shaqiri's transfer can be a failure.

However, Shaqiri does not need much time to silence critics. On October 6th, FC Basel scored the first league victory against Young Boys with Shaqiri in the title formation, and also scored the first point in the Superliga when he assisted in the head attack of Adrian Barisi with a miraculous punishment.

On October 26th, Shaqiri's first major galaxy comes after his return: At a 6:1 off the field at Winter, Shaqiri scores twice and gives three assists.

By the end of 2024, Shaqiri will have five goals and eight assistants in his career.

After a 4:1 victory against Yverdon on November 9th, FC Basel is in first place on the Superleague table for the first time this season.

Two weeks later, Shaqiri scored a show against direct rivals Servette the next gala with FC Basel's fan.

In the 16th week of the cup against Zion, they also won penalty. Shaqiri made a decisive contribution with a goal and an assistant.

At Basel, people are gradually beginning to dream about Shaqiri's next handful.

The team's associates on the attack are now used to the wizard's motto: simply run and the sweet pass of 33-year-old will follow.

A few days before the start of the second half of the season after winter vacation, FC Basel announced: Gerdan Shaqiri is the new captain.

Dominic Schmidt and Taulant Jaka are sitting in the hierarchy. In an exciting opening match against the leaders of the league, Luganos, Captain Shaqiri began the year with a goal and an assistant. Many more will follow.

As captain, Shaqiri is improving the situation and is more productive than ever before in his career.

Since his debut as a title on September 21, 2024, he has been the title at each match.

In 31 performances in the Superleague so far, the 33-year-old has scored 18 goals and provided 20 assies.

These are figures that only Mohammed Salah (Liverpool), Harry Kane (Bayn Munich) or Victor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon) can reach Europe.

With 20 assets, he has already equalled Miroslav Stevovic's record in the league for assistants and the record of all the time of Stéphane Chapuisat of 43 points scored in the YB 20/03/2004 season could also fall”, writes among other Swiss media.

The event, with which Shaqiri finally paves the way for the championship party, will take place on 12 April 2025, at LetzigRund in Zurich. The only Shaqiri destroys the fierce rival FC Zurich with a blow of punishment and an incredible goal from a narrow angle. The final score was 4:0 for FC Basel.

With the championship title secured, the 33-year-old has returned to Europe with FC Basel é at least in the phase of the European League groups.

A return to the Champions League, where Shaqiri played for the last time with Liverpool v. Real Madrid in the quarterfinals in April 2021, would be a dream. Despite his fantastic figures in the Superleague.

Does he still have the skills needed to get to the big stage? Gerdan Shaqiri will soon be able to prove it.