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Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri turned 34 on Friday, and the Swiss winger has aged like a fine wine while enjoying another successful season with FC Basel.
Shaqiri's had a decorated career, starting at boyhood club Basel before earning a move to Bayern Munich in 2012. He then joined Inter Milan briefly before moving to Stoke City, and Liverpool signed him for a bargain $18 million after triggering his release clause.
Liverpool sold Shaqiri to Lyon in August 2021, with the winger eager to boost his playing time and start a new challenge. His move didn't work out, and after a short stay in MLS with the Chicago Fire, he returned home to Basel.
Shaqiri's return was a big deal in Basel, and he remains one of the most popular soccer players in Swiss history. Fans were unsure what to expect, but Shaqiri quickly proved that he had much more to give.
In his first season back at Basel since the 2011-12 campaign, Shaqiri scored 21 goals in 38 games and helped the club win the Swiss Super League title for the first time since 2017. Shaqiri has picked up where he left off this season.
Through 14 games, Shaqiri has seven goals and five assists, and has scored in every competition thus far. Basel is currently third in the league standings, one point behind leaders Thun.
Basel also has one win in the Europa League, and Shaqiri scored in the 2-0 victory over Stuttgart. The Swiss winger snubbed offers from Saudi Arabia to return home, and doesn't regret the decision.
"It was a big dream for me to win trophies again with FCB," Shaqiri told Gazeta. "That this happened in the first year makes it even more wonderful.
"I didn't want to go to Saudi Arabia, where I could have enjoyed a life of luxury. For me, it was an honest decision."
Returning home was Shaqiri's priority after he agreed to terminate his contract in MLS. Shaqiri signed for Chicago as a designated player in February 2022, the most expensive transfer in club history at the time.
The $7.5 million deal was meant to take Chicago to the next level, but Shaqiri scored just 16 goals in 75 games. Shaqiri agreed to end his blockbuster contract, and only one destination was on his mind.
The Swiss legend has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and won the biggest trophies, but he was still humbled when Liverpool approached him. According to Shaqiri, Jurgen Klopp orchestrated it all.
"I had a very good relationship with him. When he called me directly to convince me to move to Liverpool, I was quite surprised," Shaqiri said of Klopp. "He's a people person, he was very good with the team, and he prepared the squad excellently for all challenges."
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