Former Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri led wild celebrations after inspiring his boyhood club to their title league title in eight years at the weekend.
Back at Swiss giants Basel, Shaqiri recorded no less than 41 goal contributions in a sensational season and revelled in his success with supporters on Sunday night.
He began his career as a 10-year-old prospect in Basel’s academy before breaking into the first-team. The winger then went on to play for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Stoke City and Liverpool, where he made 63 appearances under Jurgen Klopp.
Shaqiri memorably won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his trophy-laden stay at Anfield between 2018-2021.
After also turning out for Lyon and MLS side Chicago Fire, the 33-year-old made an emotional return to where it all began and enjoyed an incredible instant impact.
Basel were made to wait almost a decade to get their hands back on the Swiss Super League trophy but finally reclaimed the title, largely thanks to the efforts of Shaqiri.
Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri led Basel’s wild title celebrations on Sunday
Shaqiri inspired his boyhood club to the Swiss Super League trophy after an eight-year drought
Wearing the captain’s armband, he scored a hat-trick in the space of just nine second-half minutes as Basel thrased Lugano 5-2 on Saturday.
Servette then failed to beat Young Boys on Sunday, handing their rivals the title.
Basel held a large celebration in the town centre that evening, allowing players and staff members to congregate and toast their triumph with supporters.
Red and blue flares filled the sky and Shaqiri found himself front and centre of the festivities as he walked out onto a balcony while thousands loudly chanted his name.
He then roared and waved a huge flag, taking the atmosphere to fever pitch.
Shaqiri could now be honoured with a club statue, Basel president David Degen said.
Degen told blue Sport: ‘By signing Shaq, we wanted to set an example.
‘Shaq has achieved this. He could have taken the easy route, collected money in Saudi Arabia or whatever. But no, he came back to FCB.
Basel thrashed Lugano and won the title after Servette then failed to Young Boys
Shaqiri won the Premier League during his successful spell at Anfield between 2018-2021
He was also involved in the Reds’ Champions League-winning campaign before leaving
‘That also puts enormous pressure on him personally. He withstood everything.
‘Hats off, great cinema. I told him: “I’ll build you a statue”.’
Shaqiri boasts eight league titles across his career, having previously won the Swiss Super League three times with Basel, the Bundesliga on three occasions with Bayern Munich and the Premier League once during his stint at Liverpool.
