Xherdan Shaqiri is back. After his first appearance on Monday night in front of hundreds of Basel fans, Shaqiri on Tuesday appeared for the first time in a press conference. He answered all the journalists' questions.
The 32-year-old was in good spirits and caused some laughs. But he was clear about his intentions with Basel. He showed it in the first training with the Basel shirt. He showed his qualities during training.
"I am always very positive and I will always remain so. Basel is always looking for success, just like me. It is the biggest club in Switzerland. I want to win titles here. But I am also down to earth. Of course Basel haven't won any titles in recent years, so you have to keep your feet on the ground. The goal is for the club to return to where it was," Shaqiri said on Tuesday at the conference.
Shaqiri terminated his contract with Chicago Fire and returned to Basel after 12 years. Shaqiri started his football career at Basel in 2007. In 2012, he left Basel to join Bayern Munich. He also made a career at Inter, while later also at Stoke City, Liverpool, Lyon and recently he was part of Chicago Fire. He was the captain of the team from the United States of America.
Shaqiri answered whether he was promised the captain's armband.
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"As a player, I was always the captain, regardless of whether I had the armband or not. I will look to the future. The coach decides if I will become captain, but it is too early to talk about that", Shaqiri emphasized.
He added that it is of little importance if he will keep the captaincy in Basel.
His goals - trophies with Basel.
"I think that expectations in football are normal. I have always been able to handle the pressure. I think I can help Basel move forward again. I didn't think so many people would come. It was very special and very exciting", says Shaqiri.
He admits that he did not have a good time in Chicago. But he emphasizes that a new chapter begins for him.
"I had my experiences. Many people see it negatively. I had a great time in Chicago. I take positive things from this experience. Now a new chapter begins", said the former Swiss footballer.
He has not been able to share the best moments of his career. He says that he has experienced great emotions in all the clubs.
"It's hard to share a moment. I played for many good clubs. I won the 'treble' with Bayern in my first year. It was extraordinary. My time in Milan was also memorable. I also had a great time at Stoke and learned a lot. Liverpool was great too. Really hard to share a moment. But you also take negative things with you, like the drop with Stoke City or the not so successful period with Chicago. All these things shape you as a personality, whether positive or negative."
Shaqiri reiterated that Basel was his only home in Switzerland.
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He has also indicated that he has already decided to live in his parents' house in Kaiseraugst.
"I hope there aren't too many people ringing the bell. I feel comfortable there in my old home. My jersey is still hanging in my room. It's good to see him every day", said Shaqiri.
Shaqiri is satisfied with the warm welcome he received on Monday. He hopes to receive a warm welcome in some of the stadiums in Switzerland.
Asked about his form, Shaqiri admitted that he is still not 100 percent. But he added that he returned to Basel more mature.
"Like the saying 'like red wine, the older the better'".
Shaqiri said that for his return to Basel, he also received congratulations from the captain of Switzerland, Granit Xhaka.
"He also wants Basel to be successful again and return to its former glory."
Shaqiri has not revealed his salary. But he has refused to reveal his salary.
Even the sports director, Daniel Stucki, reacted by emphasizing that Shaqiri is worth more than money.
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"Shaqiri is worth its weight in gold for us. We always look at which ex-experienced players are interesting to us. We have been talking about Xherdan for a long time. When he broke the contract, we knew it was going to work. It is a great success for Basel that we managed to bring back Shaqiri. No one other than Basel is involved in the salary payments for Shaqiri. There is no third party that pays for it," said Stucki.
Shaqiri signed a three-year contract with Basel. He is expected to appear for the first time in the match against Yverdon.
