Onward to Victory: Granit’s Focus on Winning the Europa League
In an exclusive conversation with RG, football star Granit shared his exhilaration at clinching the Bundesliga title and his determined outlook towards the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against West Ham. Having overcome numerous challenges in his career, Granit's journey from Basel to Bundesliga glory encapsulates his relentless pursuit of soccer excellence.
A Long Awaited Triumph
Granit Xhaka (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Granit's soccer journey reached a pinnacle as he celebrated winning the German Bundesliga. "When you start to kick the ball as a kid, all you want is to win titles, and international titles are even more special," he remarked. Reflecting on his move back to Germany in 2012 after nearly securing the Premier League with Arsenal, he shared, "I'm here now (Leverkusen), and I'm very thankful to the board and the manager. It was the best decision of my life to return to this amazing club and win something."
Wishing Arsenal Well:
Despite his current success, Granit hasn't forgotten his roots at Arsenal. "I was told they lost to Aston Villa this weekend, but it's still very close. I'm in touch with some of the players and managers, so they know I wish them well," he added, sending his best wishes to his former team.
Looking Ahead to West Ham:
With the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, April 18th at 3:00 pm ET, Granit and his team hold a 2-0 lead, but he remains cautious. "It will not be easy in England, but when you are so close to another trophy, you want to take it. The first step was winning the Bundesliga, so now let's hope we can take something else," he expressed with determination.