The 5 Best Swiss Footballers of All-Time

Switzerland has produced many incredible football players, but who are the best Swiss footballers of all time? Here are our rankings!

As a nation bordered by France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein, and comprising citizens with Albanian, Serbian and Turkish roots, Switzerland is a multicultural country yet still majorly European due to its geographical location.

This diverse melting pot has led to the growth of some amazing footballing talent. From silky dribbling wide players to resolute, dependable defenders, the Swiss have produced all sorts of players over the years.

The Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) have never tasted success internationally — the closest was their silver medal at the 1924 Olympic football tournament. Yet, Swiss players have often lit up international competitions. These 5 are the best to have worn the crosses of Switzerland.

1. Josef Hügi

Position: Striker

Caps: 34

Goals: 22

Hügi’s first international cap came in 1951 at the age of 21, three years into his senior career. He was called up to the squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup due to consistent performances for FC Basel.

At the ’54 World Cup, Hügi started three of four games for the Swiss, scoring six goals. While the team crashed out in the quarter-finals in a free-scoring 7-5 loss vs Austria, this was the last time the Swiss made the QFs of a World Cup.

Hügi was the second-highest scorer of the 1954 tournament and is still Switzerland’s all-time top scorer in World Cup tournaments.

A #9 with fantastic movement and a good first touch capable of powerful shots with his stronger right foot, Hügi is FC Basel’s highest goalscorer in the Swiss league, with 244 goals in 320 appearances.

2. Xherdan Shaqiri

Position: Forward

Caps: 89

Goals: 23

One of the most talented Swiss players of the 21st century, Xherdan Shaqiri made his Switzerland senior debut at just 18 years old, in his first season as a professional footballer for FC Basel.

Since then, he has appeared in four World Cups and three UEFA European Championships in a 17-year career that sees him in the top 10 for both goals and caps for the Swiss national team.

He only appeared as a sub once in the 2010 World Cup as the Swiss crashed out in the group stages, but by the 2014 World Cup, he was integral to the team. Shaqiri started every game in Brazil as Switzerland reached the round of 16, being named man of the match in two group matches and scoring a World Cup hat-trick vs Honduras.

The mercurial forward continued to be the man for his country in Euro 2016, starting all four games as the Swiss reached another round of 16. In the RO16 game vs Poland, Shaqiri scored the goal of the tournament with a bicycle kick from the edge of the box, the equalising goal for the Swiss. They eventually lost on penalties, but Shaqiri stood out from the pack once again.

The enigmatic maestro hadn’t slowed down by the 2018 World Cup, starting every game and scoring the winner vs Serbia in a group game as the Swiss reached the World Cup RO16 for the fourth time ever. He also contributed to Switzerland’s campaigns for Euro 2020, Qatar 2022 and Euro 2024. He officially retired from the squad in July 2024.

An attacker capable of playing on either flank as well as centrally, Shaqiri is a dead-ball specialist, scoring free-kicks regularly. His dribbling, long-range shots and penchant for the spectacular bring joy to all who watched him.

3. Alexander Frei

Position: Striker

Caps: 84

Goals: 42

Switzerland’s highest-ever goalscorer, with eight more goals than the next-best, Alex Frei was called up to the senior team for the first time in 2001 at 21 years old.

By his second game for Switzerland, Frei had scored a hat-trick for his country in a 5-0 rout of Luxembourg. By 2004, the striker was a nailed-on starter. He started two out of three games in Switzerland’s poor Euro 2004 campaign, scoring no goals but getting a short suspension for unscrupulous behaviour in a game against England.

2006 was Frei’s peak, with two goals in four starts at the World Cup, which propelled his nation to the round of 16 for the first time since 1994. Though the Swiss exited on penalties to Ukraine, it was a proud moment for the country overall. Frei’s importance to the Red Crosses was to continue at Euro 2008, but the iconic striker sustained a knee injury in the first game, which ruled him out for the entire tournament.

Frei returned to make the squad for the 2010 World Cup, making two appearances as the Red Crosses missed out on the knockout rounds. His last cap came in 2011 at 31 years old. A composed #9 who could sniff out a chance, Frei was a capable finisher with both feet.

4. Stephan Lichtsteiner

Position: Right-back

Caps: 108

Goals: 8

Lichtsteiner’s senior international career began a bit later than most, with his first appearance for the Red Crosses coming at 22 years old in 2006. The call-up came after a season of consistent football in Ligue 1 with Lille. The defender missed out on the 2006 World Cup squad but was first choice at Euro 2008, starting all three games (one clean sheet) at right-back as Switzerland crashed out early in the tournament.

Nicknamed ‘‘The Swiss Express’’ due to his tireless running in both attack and defence, Lichtsteiner continued to be a regular in the starting 11 of the national team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting all three games (one clean sheet) as Switzerland disappointed yet again in a major tournament. Lichtsteiner and the Swiss squad then restored national pride in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, reaching the round of 16 for the third time in their history. He played every minute of the tournament. 

Lichtsteiner was made captain of the national team in October 2014. Switzerland continued their good form from 2014 at Euro 2016, reaching the RO16 once again. The right-back started all four games (two clean sheets) in France, illustrating his leadership and athleticism throughout. He then captained Switzerland to another RO16 showing in Russia at the 2018 World Cup.

The defender’s last cap for Switzerland came in 2019 at the age of 35. Lichtsteiner’s appearances in five major international tournaments for his country illustrate his longevity in the game. He was versatile as a defender, able to play across the right flank, the left and even in central defence at times. Lichtsteiner is third all-time for Switzerland caps.

5. Granit Xhaka

Position: Central Midfielder

Caps: 144

Goals: 16

The current captain of the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka’s senior international career began with the then-18-year-old midfielder having a very good debut game in a 2-2 draw vs England at Wembley in June 2011. Xhaka was a regular in the team from then on. He started all four of Switzerland’s 2014 World Cup games, helping them reach the round of 16 and scoring in the eventual 5-2 loss to France in the group.

The central midfielder, who can play deeper and as a #10, was untouchable in the next major tournament, playing every minute of Switzerland’s Euro 2016 campaign as the Swiss reached the Euros RO16 for the first time ever. Xhaka was man of the match in the first group game vs Albania (where he played against his brother, Taulant Xhaka). Unfortunately, Granit missed the penalty that eliminated his team from the tournament.

He continued to represent his country despite this moment of despair, starting every game once again at the 2018 World Cup as Switzerland made it to the RO16. Xhaka scored the equaliser in a group game vs Serbia, which the Swiss went on to win.

He also played an integral role in Switzerland’s 2022 World Cup campaign, playing every minute of their four matches. Switzerland made it to the RO16 for the fifth time in their history — a feat they are hoping to match or exceed in 2026.

Xhaka has played a large role in Switzerland’s better showings at major tournaments in the 21st century. Strong in the tackle with a good passing range, Xhaka also exhibits leadership qualities on and off the pitch. An underrated player.

Honourable Mentions:

• Alain Geiger

• Hakan Yakin

• Heinz Hermann

• Stéphane Chapuisat