Who would have thought that the son of Elmaze and Ragip Xhaka would rise from humble family beginnings to become one of the greatest players in Swiss football history? This article presents the full story of a Swiss football genius best known by the nickname “Xhakaboom.”
It’s interesting to note that Granit Xhaka’s family roots are not in Switzerland but in Albania. Research shows that his Albanian parents trace their ancestry to Kuršumlija, Serbia. In this memoir, you’ll learn about Granit Xhaka’s very modest beginnings, including how his family got a fresh start in life in 1990 when they emigrated to Switzerland.
The footballer, with his Kosovo-Albanian roots, began his career in the most humble of places and rose to become a true leader.
Granit Xhaka’s Story: Early Beginnings & Swiss Football Greatness
Our Granit Xhaka Biography, including his untold childhood story, brings you a full account of notable events from his childhood right up to when he became famous.
The analysis of the Swiss footballer involves his life story before fame, family life, relationship life and many facts about him.
Yes, everyone knows about his midfield abilities, but only a few have read Granit Xhaka’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Begin.
Granit Xhaka Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Granit Xhaka was born on the 27th day of September 1992 to his Mother, Elmaze Xhaka and Father, Ragip Xhaka. in Basel, Switzerland.
Results from our research show that his Albanian parents were originally from Kuršumlija, Serbia. Let’s not forget that Serbia is the home country of Alexandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic.
A childhood photo of Granit Xhaka.
To understand Granit Xhaka’s early life story is to understand his family, how they have suffered, and how they have pulled together and worked tirelessly to overcome.
“From the most humble of beginnings, Granit Xhaka’s journey to the top was initially preceded by his parents’ escape from a country on the verge of civil war, seeking safety and stability.”
Xhaka’s parents knew that they needed a fresh start, and in 1990, they emigrated to Switzerland. Their first son, Taulant, would be born in Basel in 1991, with Granit following 18 months later.
As Granit Xhaka puts it; “My dad showed an incredible strength and Taulant, and I have grown up with his mental strength,” Xhaka says.
“We had this idol and also a role model, who taught us by telling us that you have to be strong to achieve great things. So we grew up very resilient. It’s why on the pitch, we have this mental fortitude to overcome obstacles and give our all.”
Xhaka owes everything to Switzerland and the opportunities he was afforded there. Like being in their national football team comprising Yann Sommer, amongst others.
More importantly, Xhaka cannot and will not forget his Kosovo-Albanian roots, which continue to touch him to this present day.
Who is Leonita? Granit Xhaka’s Lover:
The stunning WAG, pictured below, is no other person than brunette Leonita, the lady of enamoured beauty.
She is Granit Xhaka’s pretty wife. Like Xhaka, Lekaj comes from a Kosovo Albanian family.
Leonita and Granit were once having this great time together.
Xhaka first encountered Leonita while he was still playing for his former club, Borussia Monchengladbach. She was working for the Bundesliga team at the time and caught the eye of the Switzerland international. Indeed, she is very beautiful.
Asides from taking giant icecreams, both lovers love going to Miami for their summer holiday.
In April 2017, Granit Xhaka proposed to his partner, Leonita Lekaj, in a fancy brown suit, going down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. Leonita joyfully accepted, and their celebration was shared on Instagram.
Xhaka also posted the identical photo on his Instagram account with the following message: She said YES. A golden ball is a miracle; a golden wife is a paradise! Mr & Mrs Xhaka.
The day Granit Xhaka proposed to Leonita.
Granit Xhaka took his time in the off-season to wed his long-term girlfriend Leonita Lekaj.
The Switzerland international announced the big news by posting a ‘Mr and Mrs’ photo with his bride on Instagram. Their marriage happened in July 2017.
The wedding photo of Xhaka and Lekaj.
Granit Xhaka and Leonita Lekaj have been living happily ever after.
Granit Xhaka Family Life:
This section tells you more about members of Granit’s household. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.
About Granit Xhaka Dad:
Ragip Xhaka was a proud Kosovarian who once protested to the then Communist Yugoslavia rule in Kosovo (a country in Southeast Europe) that he and his people had the fundemantal human right to exist.
He stood up for their rights and they were basic democratic rights –necessities, such as being able to vote. It was strictly political. Xhaka said,…My dad was asking:
‘Why aren’t we Democrats here? We deserve to be democrats. We deserve to be heard.’
Ragip Xhaka was later arrested by his government. It was not only him. There were other people arrested, including his uncle, who had been jailed a number of years earlier. He got 15 years. Ragip was sentenced to prison for three years and a half.
“As far as I know, his first few months in jail were OK,” Xhaka says. “But then the beatings started.”
In 1986, Xhaka Sr. participated in demonstrations against the communist central government in Belgrade. At that time, he was a 22-year-old student at also a student of the University of Pristina in Kosovo, which was an autonomous province within Yugoslavia.
The Arrest:
He would be arrested and summarily given a six-year sentence. Xhaka Sr shared a cell with four other men and he would be let out once every day – for 10 minutes.
Xhaks continued…“As his son, the story is something that touches me very deeply – it is really, really in my heart,”
Xhaka also continued… “To describe my dad properly, you have to appreciate the full depth of it. It’s so tragic. I sometimes ask him: ‘Tell it to me again,’ but I still don’t think he has revealed all of it.
There have always been silent moments where I’ve felt he has swallowed something and not spitted out the truth. Maybe it was just too much, and he wanted to spare his kids all the grief.
One of the strange things is we don’t know why Ragip Xhaka was released early from his sentence but he was let go at the same time as his uncle.
None of the family knew about it until they turned up on the doorstep. Xhaka’s feeling is that they took a pact to go along with the prison rules, keeping their mouths shut and never causing any problems.
This is why they released them because they thought: ‘There’s no problem with them anymore.’ But no one is sure about that.
Ragip Xhaka, after his prison release, was empowered by a determination to find a better life, one that would one day be embodied in the spirit with which his sons would fight their own battles on the football field.
He migrated his family from Podujevo, District of Prishtina to Switzerland in 1990.
About Granit Xhaka Mother:
One of the most revealing details about Xhaka’s mum is that she only met her husband just three months before his arrest and jailing.
Xhaka once said.
“I have such incredible respect for my mother. I have never heard of a woman being together with a man for three months – at that young age – and then waiting for him for three and a half years. My mother is just an incredible person.”
When Elmaze Xhaka sat in the stands alongside her future daughters-in-law, she wore a half-and-half Switzerland/ Albania shirt.
Although she’s from Switzerland, but also a neutral fan because her two sons play in different countries. She and her daughter-in-law are very close.
About Granit Xhaka Brother:
Taulant Ragip Xhaka (born 28th day of March 1991) is the elder brother of Granit Xhaka.
Taulant Xhaka, who like his brother, is a professional footballer plays for FC Basel and the Albania national team. (As at the time of writing).
Granit Xhaka Sister:
Agnesa Xhaka is the kid sister to Granit Xhaka, who is also her favourite brother.
Agnesa Xhaka and her brother, Granit.
One day, Granit Xhaka sponsored her birthday. Agnesa Xhaka wrote sweet words about her brother and followed them with a picture. But what attracts more attention is the comment she has written down the picture. It says…
“I love you very much; you are the best brother in the world,” she writes, implying that she describes her immediate big brother, Granit, as “the favourite”.
This can be justified by the fact that Granit is far more loved than his elder brother. Meanwhile, Taulant’s Instagram does not have any posts similar to this one yet.
Personality:
Xhaka has the following attributes to his personality.
Granit Xhaka’s Strengths: He’s Cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded and social.
Xhaka’s Weaknesses: He could be indecisive. More so, he fears confrontations and has the habit of carrying a grudge.
What Granit Xhaka likes: Gentleness, sharing with others and outdoors.
Granit Xhaka dislikes: Violence, injustice, loudmouths and conformity.
Granit Xhaka Untold Biography Facts – Career in Summary:
Xhaka started his career at Basel, his hometown club, where he clinched the Swiss Super League title in his first two seasons.
In 2012, he made a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, gaining recognition for his technical skills and leadership qualities, although he faced criticism for his temperament.
At just 22 years old, Xhaka was appointed captain of Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2015, guiding the German team to qualify for the UCL (UEFA Champions League) for a second consecutive season.
His career ascended further when he secured a significant transfer to Arsenal in May 2016, for a fee reportedly around £30 million.
The German club earned a lot of money from his transfer, using it to invest in players like Matthias Ginter, who arrived following Xhaka’s departure. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Granit Xhaka Biography – A Leader of Men:
Borussia Mönchengladbach had their worst-ever start to the 2015/16 season when they lost the first five league games, leaving them dead last.
Manager Lucien Favre resigned soon after, and Andre Schubert took over.
With their captain Tony Jantschke injured, the first thing Schubert did was to hand the armband to Xhaka just a few days before his 23rd birthday.
He was also appointed the captain of his country, Switzerland.
“We chose Granit because he is a very important player for us,” Schubert had said. “He has quality but must also learn to take responsibility.”
The decision paid off as Mönchengladbach made a strong comeback in the Champions League race. Xhaka played a pivotal role, scoring in his inaugural match as captain.
With Xhaka leading and Schubert’s strategic expertise, Mönchengladbach ultimately secured fourth place, earning a chance in the Champions League playoff round.
Leading a team at only 23 is a significant achievement. Wenger previously entrusted Cesc Fabregas with a similar responsibility, and despite lacking support from high-quality teammates, Fabregas motivated them to top-four finishes and Champions League participation.
Xhaka can be a player entrusted with leading the team when the time comes, and Wenger obviously needs a few more experienced and trustworthy heads in the middle of the park.
Fact Check:
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