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Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

By Kristofer McCormack

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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BASEL, SWITZERLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: Second Leg between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at St. Jakob-Park on November 12, 2017 in Basel, Basel-Stadt. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: Second Leg between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at St. Jakob-Park on November 12, 2017 in Basel, Basel-Stadt. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Switzerland: Xherdan Shaqiri

It’s fair to say Xherdan Shaqiri has had a rather turbulent season. While helping his national side go unbeaten for the entire qualifying campaign before losing to Portugal and top spot in their group, he has had endured a horrific season at Stoke that sees the Potters on the verge of relegation. It hasn’t been a bad season for Shaqiri individually, however. He has scored seven goals and assisted another six, making it his best individual season for Stoke since he moved there in 2015.

Shaqiri has been something of a backwards fairy-tale. He started out at Basel before moving Bayern and playing a small part in their treble win in 2013. He then moved to Inter Milan before reaching Stoke. The Potters seemed to be Shaqiri’s level as he has been one of their top performers in recent years, and Stoke’s pending relegation will no doubt raise questions about his future. 

Shaqiri has been a stalwart for his national side since his debut eight years ago, helping them to qualify for the last two major international tournaments. He played a starring role in Switzerland’s best ever World qualifying campaign, assisting five goals and scoring another. The 26-year-old has a habit of scoring at major tournaments for his nation, racking up four goals in nine appearances so far at major tournaments.

Switzerland will need him at his very best to get out of a tricky group with hopes that this golden generation can finally live up to expectations.

Honrable mentions: Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner

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