Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka to miss Nations League games after injury with Sunderland

Switzerland’s most-capped player has not added to his 152 appearances since the World Cup. Xhaka captained the team in a controversial 3-1 extra-time loss to Argentina in the quarterfinals. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has withdrawn from two Nations League games, the national federation said Monday, because of an injury when Sunderland played Chelsea in the Premier League.

The 34-year-old Xhaka damaged his calf muscle in the warmup Sunday though started the game. He lasted just two minutes before coming off in what was a 1-0 win that lifted Sunderland out of last place.

Switzerland’s most-capped player has not added to his 152 appearances since the World Cup. Xhaka captained the team in a controversial 3-1 extra-time loss to Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Xhaka missed four Nations League games in the last international break because he was prosecuted for using a fake COVID-19 vaccine document in 2022. He admitted the charge and was put on two years’ probation with a suspended fine.

Switzerland tops its Nations League second-tier group ahead of playing at Slovenia on Friday and hosting Scotland three days later.

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Injuries to Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas and Hamburg defender Miro Muheim meant they also dropped out of coach Murat Yakin’s squad, the federation said.

A first callup for defender Roggerio Nyakossi made him the sixth player in the squad who was born in Geneva and came through the academy of city club Servette yet never made an impact on its first team.

Those six players — including Denis Zakaria, Johan Manzambi, Zeki Amdouni, Zachary Athekame and Winsley Boteli— combined to play just 11 games for Servette before leaving or being sold as teenagers.

The 22-year-old Nyakossi was sold in 2022 to Marseille and now plays in Belgium for Leuven.