Alfred Bickel vs Granit Xhaka
Switzerland against Switzerland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Alfred Bickel
Switzerland · 1935–1956 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Switzerland
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 71 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- Grasshopper Club Zürich
Two goals down to Greater Germany in the Paris replay on 9 June 1938, Switzerland came back, and Bickel, German-born himself, made it 2-2 in the 64th minute of an eventual 4-2 win. Seventy-one caps for Switzerland and World Cups either side of the war, in 1938 and 1950, a span only Sweden's Erik Nilsson also managed; seven Swiss championships and nine Swiss Cups with Grasshopper, and Swiss Sportsman of the Year in 1953. Career record: 71 caps and 15 goals for Switzerland; club career at Grasshopper Club Zürich.
Granit Xhaka
Switzerland · 2010–26 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Switzerland
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 151 · 18 goals
- Clubs
- Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Eleven years of Bayern titles ended on 14 April 2024, with Xhaka striking one from 25 metres past Werder Bremen for 2-0 in the game that made Leverkusen German champions for the first time. That season ended unbeaten in the league with the DFB-Pokal alongside it, and he captains Switzerland as their record appearance holder on 152 caps, having won the Swiss title twice with Basel and the FA Cup twice with Arsenal. Career record: 151 caps and 18 goals for Switzerland; club career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The verdict
The almanac puts Granit Xhaka ahead by 2 rating points, 86 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.