JULY 05 (V7N) - Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has revealed that his leadership qualities were shaped at the tender age of four, born out of necessity as his parents worked grueling hours to support the family after fleeing to Switzerland.

As Switzerland prepares to face Colombia in a highly anticipated 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash this Tuesday, the 33-year-old midfielder opened up about the immense responsibilities he and his older brother Taulant carried during their early years.

Xhaka recounted spending up to 18 hours alone with his brother while his mother, Elmaze, worked two jobs—starting as early as 4:00 AM—and his father, Ragip, worked equally grueling shifts. Reflecting on his own role as a parent today, Xhaka expressed awe at the survival structure of his childhood home.

"I think I learned about leadership already when I was four years old," Xhaka shared. "I was four and I was given the keys to the house, so already I had responsibility. My two older daughters are six and four and I cannot see my kids staying alone for 18 hours today."

The family's journey to safety was filled with extreme adversity. In Kosovo, Xhaka's father was imprisoned for three years by Slobodan Milosevic's regime for joining anti-government demonstrations, surviving severe physical abuse. Following his release, the family fled to Switzerland by bus.

Both brothers rewarded their parents' sacrifices by building elite football careers. While Granit chose to represent Switzerland—earning 150 caps—Taulant opted to play internationally for Albania.

Xhaka's hardened upbringing has translated directly into a steeliness on the pitch, helping him bounce back from career lows—such as losing the Arsenal captaincy in 2019—to achieving an unbeaten domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and subsequently enjoying a strong club stint with Sunderland.

Now leading an organized, undefeated Swiss side through the 2026 World Cup group stages and past Algeria in the Round of 32, Xhaka stands on the cusp of history. A victory against Colombia in Vancouver on Tuesday would guide Switzerland into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.

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