This article is part of the Guardian's World Cup 2014 Experts' Network, a co-operation between 32 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Brazil. theguardian.com is running previews from four countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 12 June.
Switzerland can count many successful players over the years in the Bundesliga; Stéphane Chapuisat, Alex Frei or Ciriaco Sforza to name but a few. But one outshines them all: Xherdan Shaqiri. At 22 years of age he has just won his 13th winner's medal. During 2013 alone he gathered five trophies with Bayern Munich (championship, German Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, Fifa Club World Cup).
"Xherdan is always calm when he is in possession of the ball. No matter who he is playing against. He is never anxious and he almost always unlocks his potential. In addition, he has a great mentality and can adapt quickly," says the Switzerland manager, Ottmar Hitzfeld. Shaqiri was first called up to the national squad by Hitzfeld and made his debut in March 2010, before being a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad for South Africa at the age of 18. His qualities were visible from the start.
A year after his move to Bayern in 2012 he said: "I want to fight for a place in the starting eleven." No easy task, considering that among his opponents in midfield are Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos. But Hitzfeld is confident that he will succeed: "A player always needs the desire to be a manager's first pick. But sometimes it is more difficult to achieve a goal like this. You have to seize the moment when it arrives. And Shaqiri has that quality," said Hitzfeld.
An example came during qualifying for Euro 2012. Switzerland lost their first game 3-1 to England. The only silver lining was an 18-year-old with the No10 on his shirt. With his performance he won over the crowd. To top off his performance he scored a brilliant long-range goal, albeit a consolation. Despite defeat a new star was born.
Shaqiri was born an ethnic Albanian in Gjilan in the south-east of Kosovo. His family emigrated to Switzerland when he was a baby and he grew up in a little town called Augst in the canton of Baselland, a few kilometres from the border to both Germany and France, where he lived in an apartment with his father Isen, mother Fatime, his two brothers Arianit and Erdin and his sister Medina.
Although Shaqiri is slowly becoming the most famous player Switzerland has ever seen, he knows where his roots are. His closest friend is his brother and agent Erdin. "He's the one person I always go to first. I trust him blindly. He knows everything about me. I know everything about him. We share the same blood," says Xherdan.
As kids they spent a lot of time together. Not just at the dinner table. A frequently visited spot was their schoolyard in Augst. "My older brothers always took me along," Xherdan says. "As I was always the youngest, I had to fight for everything. I learnt that lesson back then."
Every footballer has to start small. Shaqiri took his first steps at his local club SV Augst. Before he moved to Bayern Munich he went back there. The memories came flooding back. "I scored loads of goals. But one day I remember clearly, when FC Basel scouted me." Shaqiri was eight when Basel knocked on his door. The move from SV Augst to a much bigger club was at first too much for little Shaqiri. "I cried and didn't want to go. But my dad convinced me in the end. After that he rode the bus with me every day to the training ground."
Nearly 15 years later and a few millions more in his bank account, he has not reached his golden age yet. The next highlight for the young Swiss is the World Cup in Brazil. Since his debut in 2010 the midfielder assumed a leading role in the squad. Hitzfeld will not want to start a game without him.
During the group stage Switzerland will meet Ecuador, Honduras and France. In South America Shaqiri will see some familiar faces. One is the France forward Ribéry. His Bayern team-mate has been very complimentary about him, however: "At only 22, he is so controlled in his actions, even in big games. I already watched him while he was playing for Basel. His move to Bayern was a good choice and he always performed well when he was on the pitch."
However at the World Cup and the meeting with Switzerland on 20 June, the rivalry is back on. Shaqiri knows what Switzerland are capable of – even against a team like France: "We have a young squad who are hungry for success. Our goal is to survive the group stage. We are always good for a surprise. I am convinced we will do good."
In double-quick time the little man from Augst has become a successful footballer. Despite the fame, the money and the cars, Shaqiri at times seems to be the same eight-year-old who left his first club years ago. Bruno Resentera, president of SV Augst, says about his most famous player: "Xherdan still comes back and visits us. I admire his character because he does not forget where he comes from." And his Brother Erdin adds: "He is the most down to earth person I know. He surprises me time and time again. If I were in his position, I am not sure I would handle it that well."
Shaqiri is already the most successful footballer in Swiss history at the age of 22. If he can shine on the world stage over the next month, his star may rise even higher.
Jill Zimmerli writes for the Swiss newspaper Blick.
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