“I don’t know any different”
Meaningful cheers: Xhaka counters his critics
Updated June 19, 2026 – 3:23 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Switzerland and their captain Granit Xhaka had restless days after the draw at the start of the World Cup. Now the first victory followed, with a message from Xhaka.
Captain Granit Xhaka scored his penalty goal at 4-1 Swiss national team against Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrated with lots of gestures. The 33-year-old stretched out his right hand and opened and closed it several times, a signal to his critics after the Swiss’ previous weak start to the World Cup.
“There’s always a lot about me, a lot is written, it’s also provoked a bit on my part,” said the former Bundesliga professional on MagentaTV, who doesn’t understand the criticism. “I think that now you can perhaps be proud of a player who has played 148 games for this jersey, for this country. But I don’t know it any other way,” said Xhaka.
In the video | Swiss hits dream shot
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The Premier League professional from AFC Sunderland had been criticized in several media reports in the past few days before and after the 0-0 opening draw against Qatar. In a “Blick” report, Xhaka was accused of “toxic behavior” within the team. Accordingly, his teammates should perceive him as too critical. “Too much negativity affecting the team’s mood,” the newspaper wrote.
Xhaka: Players and coaches are behind me
“Maybe I need that a little bit too, these provocations, these opinions from outside,” said Xhaka. It is important to him that the team and the coach support him, “and I had that feeling from day one until today. Everything else is not my concern.”
After the win on Thursday, the Swiss now go into the final group game against co-hosts Canada with four points. Xhaka had scored the last goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in stoppage time with a penalty kick.