Xherdan Shaqiri Retires from International Football at 32

Switzerland's forward Xherdan Shaqiri has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32. He ends his national-team career with 125 caps and 32 goals. Shaqiri participated in seven major tournaments, most recently the Euro 2024 where he played five matches and scored against Scotland.

Switzerland's forward Xherdan Shaqiri has called time on his international career at the age of 32.

The Chicago Fire playmaker made the announcement just nine days after his 125th appearance for Switzerland, following a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to England in the European Championship quarterfinals. In the dramatic match, Shaqiri, a former Liverpool and Bayern Munich player, came on as an extra-time substitute and impressively struck the England crossbar directly from a corner before netting his penalty in the shootout.

Shaqiri featured in five Euro 2024 games, starting only once but still managing to score one of the tournament's best goals against Scotland. Over his career, he represented Switzerland in seven major tournaments dating back to the 2010 World Cup when he was just 18. It is the only tournament where he failed to score.

“It's time for me to say goodbye to the national team. Thank you,” Shaqiri wrote in a social media post. His 125 appearances are second only to his long-time teammate and captain Granit Xhaka, who has 130. Shaqiri scored 32 goals for Switzerland, including five at World Cups and five in European Championships.