Xherdan Shaqiri has added another beauty to his collection of world-class goals. The 33-year-old Swiss showed once again on Saturday against FC Zürich just how magical his left foot can be, helping FC Basel tighten their grip on the top spot.
Xherdan Shaqiri added yet another masterpiece to his catalogue of stunning goals, once again proving why he’s considered one of the most technically gifted Swiss players of all time.
On Saturday, in a high-stakes Swiss Super League encounter, the 33-year-old midfielder put on a show against FC Zürich, helping FC Basel secure a dominant 0-4 away victory that not only extended their lead at the top of the table but also sent a strong message to their title rivals.
Nicknamed the 'Alpine Messi' for his flair, creativity, and low center of gravity, Shaqiri lived up to that moniker with a moment of brilliance that sealed Basel's early dominance in the match. After drifting into the box and escaping the attention of Zürich midfielder Cosimo Fiorini, he received a slick outside-of-the-foot pass. What followed was a display of control and precision: he tamed the ball with his stronger left foot, used his body to hold off the recovering defender, and then unleashed a thunderous shot from a tight angle on the left side of the six-yard box. The ball crashed off the crossbar just above goalkeeper Yanick Brechner and ricocheted in off the inside of the far post to make it 0-2. It was a goal that combined power, finesse, and perfect execution and one that will surely be replayed many times this season.
Shaqiri’s goal was one of four as Basel dismantled their rivals in their own stadium. The final scoreline 0-4 was a statement of intent, both in terms of Basel’s current form and their ambitions for the remainder of the season. “This was a statement,” Shaqiri said after the match. “We’re not just here to compete we want to win.”
It was also a milestone performance for the Swiss international, who scored again later in the match and now finds himself joint top scorer in the Swiss Super League, with thirteen goals to his name. Not bad for a midfielder, and a clear indicator of just how influential he’s been since his return to Swiss football. Basel’s offense has become increasingly reliant on his ability to both create and finish, and Saturday was another reminder of just how vital he is to their title push.
The result leaves FC Basel comfortably at the top of the standings, six points clear of their closest challengers. That in itself is remarkable considering that less than two months ago, the top four clubs were all deadlocked on 42 points, making this one of the most tightly contested seasons in recent memory. But while others have faltered, Basel have found their rhythm and their form couldn’t come at a better time.
With just one round left in the regular season before the Swiss league transitions into its playoff format where the top six teams compete in a championship group Basel have already secured their position as leaders heading into that decisive phase. “We want to beat Yverdon-Sport FC next,” Shaqiri said, referring to their final regular-season fixture. “And then we’ll set new goals.”
For Shaqiri, this season marks a full-circle moment. After years abroad with clubs like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Lyon, he returned to Basel in August, rejoining the club where his professional career began. His leadership, experience, and world-class talent have given FCB a new sense of belief not just in winning matches, but in ending their long title drought.
Club president David Degen didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s objective in a recent podcast appearance. “I want to win the title this season,” he said bluntly, cutting through the usual boardroom diplomacy. While that message is echoed in the boardroom, it’s met with slightly more caution on the pitch. “What M-word?” laughed left-back Dominik Schmid when asked about Meisterschaft the German word for championship. It’s a term that some players still avoid mentioning directly, perhaps wary of jinxing their title hopes.
And with good reason. Despite Basel’s rich history and passionate fanbase, the club hasn’t lifted the Swiss league trophy since 2017. For a team that once dominated the domestic scene, that’s a long and frustrating drought. But this season feels different. The team is balanced, experienced, and backed by the energy of Shaqiri who appears as motivated as ever to bring success back to his boyhood club.
As the playoffs approach, Basel will need to maintain their momentum. The format ensures that even with a lead, nothing is guaranteed every point, every goal, and every decision will matter. But if Shaqiri continues producing moments like the one witnessed in Zürich, and if Basel can build on their current form, there’s every reason to believe that the Meisterschale could once again be headed to St. Jakob-Park.
