The talismanic status of Shaqiri, who rejoined the club he first left in 2012 to embark on a successful spell with Bayern Munich, was emphatically underlined last weekend. His two impressive goals spearheaded Basel's dominant 4-0 victory away at their traditional rivals, Zurich.
"It was a statement," declared the 33-year-old captain, reflecting on a resounding win that propelled Basel six points clear at the summit of what had been a closely contested title race. "Look at the result, there’s nothing more to say."
Shaqiri's renowned left foot was the architect of both goals. The first was a spectacular rising shot from a tight angle that cannoned off the crossbar and then the post before nestling in the net. His second showcased his dead-ball expertise, a flat, curling free kick that left the Zurich goalkeeper with no chance.
With a remarkable tally of 13 goals and 14 assists in just 28 league games this season, Shaqiri is now the joint top scorer in the Swiss Super League, surpassing his previous career-best goalscoring record.
In Basel's upcoming home fixture against Yverdon on Monday, one more goal for Shaqiri will see him equal his total goal count from his entire two-and-a-half-year stint in MLS with Chicago Fire, highlighting his transformative impact since returning to Switzerland.
Stark Contrast to Chicago Struggles
Shaqiri's return to form stands in stark contrast to his time in Chicago, where the Fire endured losing records in each of his three seasons and have failed to reach the MLS playoffs since 2017 – coincidentally, the end of Basel's eight-year reign as Swiss champions.
That dominant title streak in Basel began during Shaqiri's debut season with the club in 2009-10. The then-18-year-old prospect's impressive performances culminated in his first call-up to the Swiss national team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
While he didn't score in his maiden World Cup, Shaqiri went on to find the net in each of the subsequent three World Cups and also featured prominently in three European Championships from 2016 to 2024.
A memorable strike against Scotland last June marked Shaqiri's only start in five games at Euro 2024. Despite becoming less of an automatic selection for an impressive Swiss side that reached the quarterfinals before losing to England on penalties, he still demonstrated his composure by scoring his spot-kick after coming on as a substitute in extra time. That match proved to be his 125th and final appearance for the national team, as he announced his retirement from international duty shortly after the tournament. A month later, his contract with Chicago was mutually terminated, a decision the club stated was "in the best interest of all parties."
A Prodigal Son's Return
Shaqiri's move back to Basel was a homecoming in the truest sense. Born in Kosovo, he joined Basel's youth academy at the age of eight and played a pivotal role in their Swiss league triumphs in each of his first three full seasons as a professional.
His first departure from Basel saw him join Bayern Munich, where he promptly added a Champions League winner's medal to his collection in his debut season. He secured a second Champions League title in 2019 with Liverpool, alongside his former Basel teammate Mohamed Salah, although he remained an unused substitute in both finals.
Basel last participated in the Champions League in 2018. However, with Shaqiri leading the charge, the current league leaders are on track to enter the qualifying playoffs for Europe's premier club competition in August, provided they can maintain their six-point advantage over Servette with six league rounds remaining.
No longer burdened by long-haul flights for international duty from the United States, Shaqiri appears to have managed his fitness effectively throughout the Swiss season, which will see the top half of the 12-team league split into a championship group next week.
"We set the pace," Shaqiri confidently stated, reflecting on Basel's current four-game winning streak, during which he has personally contributed four goals. "Let’s see what the others do."