According to 12BSports reports, Swiss midfield veteran Granit Xhaka has impressed European football fans not only with his performances on the pitch, but also with the mental toughness he has shown in rising again after repeated setbacks. It is not too difficult for a player to enjoy one or two successful moments, but standing back up every time life knocks you down is something only a few can do. Xhaka is exactly that kind of figure.
At this European Championship, Xhaka played a central role in leading Switzerland to the quarterfinals after helping eliminate the defending champions. What should not be forgotten is that only a year ago, he was widely viewed as a player Arsenal had moved on from. During his time in north London, opinions about Xhaka were sharply divided among supporters. Some praised him as a midfield conductor, while others argued that although he was competent in several roles, he lacked a decisive weapon that could truly define him.
The 12BSports channel analyzed that Mikel Arteta prioritized tactical pragmatism and eventually decided to part ways with Xhaka while choosing new midfield options. In the end, Declan Rice performed brilliantly and justified that decision, but Xhaka also proved his own value in outstanding fashion after moving to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
Under Xabi Alonso, Xhaka became a regular starter and served as the stabilizing link that held the team together. With Florian Wirtz returning from injury, Exequiel Palacios still showing signs of inexperience, and Jonas Hofmann newly joining the squad, Xhaka stepped forward as the central pillar of the team. Even without piling up goals or assists, he became an indispensable presence through tactical discipline, match control, leadership, and all the unseen work that often decides games.
While Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alejandro Grimaldo drew attention with more eye-catching performances, Xhaka quietly kept the team balanced in the shadows. That pattern continued at the Euros. From the group stage through the first knockout match, he remained the heart of Switzerland’s midfield, playing with consistency and authority. For a national team often described from the outside as aging, he provided a strong foundation and a clear sense of direction.
As seen in previous World Cups, Switzerland can still expose its limits when facing the strongest sides, but their steady results at this European Championship carry real meaning for Swiss football. Advancing from the group stage and knocking out the defending champions is worth more than a simple result on paper. Accepting what cannot be changed while steadily improving what can be changed is the growth path that Xhaka and Switzerland continue to show.
More importantly, this resurgence is leaving a deep impression on Swiss children watching the national team on television, and 12BSports believes that a new Xhaka may already be growing among them. That, more than any single victory, is the true passing of the football torch. For Switzerland, Xhaka’s journey is proof that resilience, patience, and leadership can still write a story worth remembering.