Who is the best player in Switzerland national team history?

From industrious midfield generals to explosive wingers who light up the Champions League, Switzerland's 'Nati' has quietly produced world-class talent for decades. Who stands above the rest?

Granit Xhaka

Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen captain and Switzerland's most capped player, a combative, technically composed midfielder who has anchored the national team midfield for over a decade.

1/14

Xherdan Shaqiri

Explosive, versatile forward whose acrobatic bicycle kick at the 2018 World Cup became one of the tournament's most iconic moments, a consistent performer for Switzerland across multiple tournaments.

2/14

Stéphane Chapuisat

Swiss football's first true European superstar, a silky, intelligent striker who won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund and starred for Switzerland in the 1990s.

3/14

Yann Sommer

Elite goalkeeper with outstanding reflexes, famous for stopping Mbappé's penalty at Euro 2020 and anchoring Switzerland's backline through multiple successful tournament campaigns.

4/14

Alain Geiger

Elegant, composed central defender and long-serving captain of the 1980s and early 1990s who skippered the Nati across 112 appearances and was the leader of their best generation of that era.

5/14

Hakan Yakin

Gifted, creative attacking midfielder who was Switzerland's most technically brilliant player of the 2000s, capable of moments of genuine genius in major tournaments.

6/14

Breel Embolo

Physical, powerful striker born in Cameroon who chose Switzerland and has been a consistent scorer and creator for the Nati across multiple tournaments.

7/14

Manuel Akanji

Technically polished, ball-playing centre-back who starred for Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City while developing into one of Switzerland's finest modern defenders.

8/14

Fabian Schär

Versatile, technically accomplished defender and occasional creative spark from set-pieces, a reliable performer who gave Switzerland decade-long service.

9/14

Heinz Hermann

Switzerland's record cap-holder for many years, a technically gifted playmaker from the 1970s-80s who was the creative fulcrum of the Nati for over a decade.

10/14

Johan Vonlanthen

Became the youngest scorer in European Championship history at Euro 2004 aged 18, a bright but ultimately unfulfilled talent who hinted at what might have been for Swiss football.

11/14

Ricardo Cabanas

Energetic, two-footed midfielder who was a key creative presence for Switzerland throughout the 2000s and featured prominently in their 2006 World Cup campaign on home territory.

12/14

Remo Freuler

Industrious, technically sound central midfielder who has been one of Switzerland's most dependable players of the 2020s, performing consistently for Atalanta and Bologna.

13/14

Tranquillo Barnetta

Highly regarded attacking midfielder who starred for Bayer Leverkusen and was one of Switzerland's most creative players in the late 2000s, known for his technical skills and vision.

14/14