It would be a significant oversight to overlook Swiss football legends who have made a lasting impact on the sport’s history. With lightning-fast speed, precise finishing, and exceptional ball control, they have left a lasting impression on football fans. Therefore, in the following article, let's join Wintips admin to explore the Top 10 "best Swiss football players" all of the time.
Top 10 Legends the best Swiss football players
1. Josef Hügi
Hügi's first international appearance was in 1951 at the age of 21. He was called up to the national team for the 1954 FIFA World Cup due to his consistent performances for FC Basel. At the 1954 FIFA World Cup, Hügi started in three of Switzerland's four matches, scoring six goals.
Despite the team's 7-5 defeat to Austria in the quarter-finals, Hügi emerged as the second-highest goal scorer of the 1954 tournament and remains Switzerland's all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup competitions. As a highly agile player with a stronger right foot for powerful shots, Hügi was a prolific goal scorer for FC Basel in the Swiss National League (245 goals) and in all competitions (282 goals). He also ranks fourth in all-time appearances for FC Basel (319).
2. Alexander Frei - One of the best Swiss football players
Switzerland's all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Frei, was first called up to the senior team in 2001 at the age of 21. He was called up during his third professional season while playing for FC Luzern. In just his second match for Switzerland, Frei scored a hat-trick in a dominant 5-0 victory over Luxembourg.
The year 2004 marked a promising start for the forward. He started in two out of three matches in Switzerland's challenging Euro 2004 campaign, failing to score any goals and temporarily receiving a ban for unsportsmanlike conduct against England. The year 2006 proved to be Frei's best year for his country, as he scored two goals in four World Cup appearances, helping Switzerland reach the round of 16 for the first time since 1994.
3. Xherdan Shaqiri - One of the best Swiss football players
As one of Switzerland's most talented players of the 21st century, Xherdan Shaqiri made his debut for Switzerland at the age of 18, during his first professional season with FC Basel. Since then, he has appeared in three World Cups and one European Championship over his 11-year international career, and he currently ranks in the top 10 for goals scored while representing Switzerland.
He made only one substitute appearance at the 2010 World Cup as Switzerland was eliminated in the group stage. However, by the 2014 World Cup, he had established himself as a key player for the team. Shaqiri started every match in Brazil as Switzerland progressed to the round of 16, earning Player of the Match awards in two group-stage matches and scoring a memorable hat-trick against Honduras.
4. Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka, a Swiss football legend, is a midfielder known for his exceptional technique, precise passing, and strong tackling. Xhaka has enjoyed a successful club career, playing for several top European clubs, including Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Roma, and is currently playing for Leverkusen.
He has also enjoyed a successful international career, helping Switzerland qualify for the FIFA World Cup in both 2014 and 2018. Xhaka is widely regarded as one of the best Swiss players of his generation.
5. Stephan Lichsteiner - One of the best Swiss football players
Stephan Lichtsteiner's international career started relatively late, as he made his debut at the age of 22 in 2006. He was called up following a solid season in Ligue 1 with Lille. The defender missed out on the squad for the 2006 World Cup but became a key figure in Euro 2008, starting all three matches as a right-back while Switzerland exited the tournament early. He helped the team keep a clean sheet in one of those matches.
Dubbed the "Swiss Express" for his tireless work both in defense and in attack, Lichtsteiner made 11 appearances for the national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting in all three matches. He and the Swiss team then restored national pride at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, securing qualification for the knockout stages for the third time in its history. He played every single minute of the tournament.
6. Yann Sommer - One of the best Swiss football players
The next legendary footballer from Switzerland is Yann Sommer, who currently plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany and represents the Swiss national team. Sommer is a highly skilled player, renowned for his excellent goalkeeping skills and distribution. He is also known for his strength and capability of blocking shots effectively.
Sommer has enjoyed a successful club career, playing for several prominent European clubs, including Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, and Grasshopper Club Zürich. Furthermore, he has achieved success at the international level, helping Switzerland qualify for the FIFA World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
7. Ricardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Rodriguez is a left-back widely regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, with significant potential. He began his football career at his hometown club, FC Zürich, and helped the team secure two Swiss Super League titles, one Swiss Cup, and one Swiss League Cup.
In 2012, Rodriguez moved to the German club Wolfsburg, where he helped win one Bundesliga title and one German Cup. In 2015, he transferred to AC Milan in Italy. Rodriguez has represented the Swiss national team since 2011. Over the years, he has earned 77 caps and scored 10 goals.
8. Gokhan Inler - One of the best Swiss football players
Gokhan Inler, a Swiss football legend, currently plays for the Turkish club Besiktas. He is a versatile central midfielder who can operate in defensive, central, and attacking roles. Inler is known for his physicality and strong ability to contest the ball.
Inler has had a successful club career, having played for several major European clubs, including Napoli, Leicester City, and Beşiktaş. He has also enjoyed success at the international level, helping Switzerland qualify for the FIFA World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
9. Manuel Akanji - Among the best Swiss football players
Manuel Akanji has demonstrated his versatility by playing in a hybrid defensive role alongside Rodri in recent matches for Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola has been impressed by the 28-year-old's performances. Manchester City signed Manuel Akanji in a £15 million deal from Borussia Dortmund in September 2022.
He quickly became an integral player for manager Pep Guardiola, who praised him as the unsung hero of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has deployed Manuel Akanji in various positions across Manchester City's defense. This demonstrates how much trust the Spanish manager has in the Swiss defender.
10. Stéphane Chapuisat
Stéphane Chapuisat (born June 28, 1969) was a Swiss footballer who played as a forward. He was known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities at both club and international levels, having appeared over 100 times for his national team.
He spent the majority of his career at Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Chapuisat represented Switzerland at the 1994 World Cup and two European Championships. He is currently the sporting director of Young Boys Berne. His experience, knowledge, and passion for the game make him a valuable asset both on and off the field, leaving an indelible legacy in Swiss football history.
Conclusion
Swiss football has produced talented footballers with a variety of playing styles. From smooth-dribbling wingers to assertive and reliable defenders, from former No. 9 midfielders to deep-lying playmakers, the Swiss produce all sorts of players. The top 10 Swiss football players above have been recognized by leading sportsbook websites through the reviews of many fans, so we hope to satisfy our readers.
See also: Top 10 best Denmark soccer players you may not know
