Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri ends international career after standout goal at Euro 2024
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri acknowledges the applause from their supporters after their loss in the quarterfinal match against England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Saturday, July 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Thanassis Stavrakis
BERN, Switzerland — Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri retired from the national team on Monday.
Shaqiri announced the news nine days after his 125th game for Switzerland, a penalty shootout loss to England in the European Championship quarterfinals.
Going on as an extra-time substitute, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich player struck the England crossbar direct from a corner in the 1-1 draw before converting his penalty in the shootout.
The 32-year-old Shaqiri got one start in five Euro 2024 games and scored one of the best goals of the tournament against Scotland.
It was his seventh major tournament since going to the 2010 World Cup as an 18-year-old. That was the only tournament where Shaqiri did not score.
“It’s time for me to say goodbye to the national team. Thank you,” he wrote in a social media post.
Shaqiri's 125 games for Switzerland is second only to his long-time teammate and captain Granit Xhaka, who has 130. Shaqiri scored 32 goals including five at the World Cup and five in European Championships.
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri shoots to score during penalty shootout of the quarterfinal match between England and Switzerland at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Saturday, July 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Thanassis Stavrakis
He will continue at the Chicago Fire, where he has been since 2022.
