"I couldn't ..."

Switzerland captain Xhaka played with torn muscle fibers

Granit Xhaka(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Unbelievable, but true: Swiss captain Granit Xhaka played in the European Championship quarter-final against England despite an injury. The Leverkusen star revealed this after the game.

"I had an MRI on Monday and was diagnosed with a torn muscle fiber in my adductors," said Xhaka, who was unable to train all week. The Switzerland captain continued: "I had the feeling that I was fit enough. I had no pain the day before the game. I felt that the team needed me and I wanted to help."

But things obviously didn't go quite as planned. "I couldn't play any long balls or take any long shots, but otherwise I was fine," he revealed after the game.