It would be a major omission to overlook the Swiss football legends who have made a significant impact on the history of the sport. With lightning-fast speed, graceful shooting, and finesse in ball control, they have left an unforgettable impression in the minds of football fans. Therefore, in the following article, let's join Wintips admin to explore the Top 10 "best Swiss football players" all of time.
The best Swiss football players - Top 10 legend
1/ Josef Hügi
Hügi's first international appearance was in 1951 at the age of 21. He was called up to the national team to participate in the 1954 FIFA World Cup due to his consistent performances for FC Basel in Switzerland. At the 1954 FIFA World Cup, Hügi started in three out of four matches for Switzerland, scoring six goals.
Despite the team's quarter-final loss to Austria in a 7 - 5 defeat, Hügi emerged as the second-leading goal scorer of the tournament in 1954 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 of all time (282 goals). He also ranks fourth all-time in appearances for FC Basel (319).
2/ Alexander Frei - Best Swiss football players
Switzerland's all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing the next closest standout, Alex Frei, was first called up to the senior team in 2001 at the age of 21. He was summoned in his third professional season with Frei and subsequently with the Swiss club FC Luzern. In his second match for Switzerland, Frei netted a hat-trick for his country in a resounding 5 - 0 victory over Luxembourg.
The year 2004 marked a promising start for the forward. He started in 2 out of 3 matches in Switzerland's challenging Euro 2004 campaign, failing to score any goals but was temporarily banned for unsportsmanlike conduct against England. The year 2006 proved to be Frei's best performance for his country, with two goals in four World Cup appearances, marking the first time his nation reached the round of 16 since 1994.
3/ Xherdan Shaqiri - 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, currently ranking 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, but by the 2014 World Cup, he had become an integral part of the team. Shaqiri started every match in Brazil as Switzerland progressed to the round of 16, earning Player of the Match honors in two group stage matches and scoring a memorable hat-trick against Honduras in the World Cup.
4/ Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka, a renowned Swiss football legend, is a midfielder known for his exceptional technical abilities, passing, and tackling skills. Xhaka has enjoyed a successful club career, playing for several top clubs in Europe, including Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Roma and currently Leverkusen.
He has also had a successful international career, helping Switzerland qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and 2018. Xhaka is considered one of Switzerland's finest players of his generation. Xhaka is considered one of the best Swiss players of his generation.
5/ Stephan Lichsteiner - Best Swiss football players
Stephan Lichtsteiner's international career started a bit later than most, making his debut at the age of 22 in 2006. He was called up after a solid season in Ligue 1 with Lille. The defender missed out on the squad for the 2006 World Cup but was a key figure in Euro 2008, starting all three matches (keeping a clean sheet in one) as a right-back as Switzerland exited the tournament early.
Dubbed the "Swiss Express" for his tireless work both defensively and going forward, 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 to the knockout stages for the third time in their history. He played every minute of the tournament.
6/ Yann Sommer - Best Swiss football players
The next legendary footballer from Switzerland is Yann Sommer, currently playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany and the Swiss national team. Sommer is a highly skilled player, renowned for his excellent goalkeeping and distribution abilities. He is also known for his strength and capability to block shots effectively.
Sommer has enjoyed a successful club career, representing several prominent clubs in Europe, including Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, and Grasshopper Club Zürich. Furthermore, he has achieved success at the international level, contributing to Switzerland's qualification for the final rounds of the FIFA World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
7/ Ricardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Rodriguez is a left-back who is considered one of the finest in the world in his position, with significant potential for the future. He began his football career at the local club FC Zurich and helped the team secure 2 Swiss league titles, 1 Swiss Cup, and 1 Swiss League Cup.
In 2012, Rodriguez moved to the German club Wolfsburg, where he contributed to winning 1 Bundesliga title and 1 German Cup. By 2015, he transferred to AC Milan in Italy. Rodriguez has been representing the Swiss national team since 2011. During this time, he has earned 77 caps and scored 10 goals.
8/ Gokhan Inler - Best Swiss football players
Gokhan Inler, a Swiss football legend, currently plays for Besiktas club in Turkey and the Swiss national team. He is a central midfielder who can play in various positions, including defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and attacking midfielder. Inler is known for his physicality and strong ability to contest for the ball.
Inler has had a successful club career, playing for several major clubs in Europe, including Napoli, Leicester City, and Besiktas. He has also enjoyed success at the international level, helping Switzerland reach the final stages of the FIFA World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
9/ Manuel Akanji - Best Swiss football players
Manuel Akanji has demonstrated his versatility by playing as a central midfielder alongside Rodri in recent matches for Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola is delighted with the 28-year-old's performances. Manchester City signed Manuel Akanji for £15 million from Borussia Dortmund in September 2022.
He quickly became an integral player for manager Pep Guardiola, who praised him as the unsung hero of the Etihad Stadium team. Manager Pep Guardiola has utilized Manuel Akanji in various positions across Manchester City's defense. This shows how much trust the Spanish strategist has in the Swiss player.
10/ Stéphane Chapuisat
Stéphane Chapuisat (born June 28, 1969) is a retired Swiss footballer who played as a forward. Known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities both at 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.
Conclude
Swiss football has produced football talents with many different ways of playing. From smooth dribbling wingers to assertive and reliable defenders; From former No. 9 midfielders to deep-organized midfielders, the Swiss produce all sorts of players. The top 10 best Swiss football players above are approved by the bookmaker sportsbook website through the reviews of many fans, so hope to make readers satisfied.
See also: Top 10 best Denmark soccer players you may not know
