Xavier Margairaz
Encyclopedia
Xavier Margairaz is a Swiss
footballer who plays for FC Zürich mainly as a defensive midfielder.
, Margairaz was part of the 2005–06 and 2006–07 Swiss championship
winning teams of Fussballclub Zürich.
In May 2007, he signed a three-year contract with Spanish
outfit CA Osasuna
, where he struggled with first-team opportunities. In late February 2008, in a friendly match with SD Eibar
, Margairaz suffered a serious knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament
, internal lateral ligament and external meniscus
). After a successful surgery in Geneva
, he missed UEFA Euro 2008, as his recovery process was estimated to be of at least eight months. This happened a week after another serious knee-injured central midfielder of the Navarre
se side, Javad Nekounam
, began training.
On 14 January 2009, Margairaz moved back to FC Zürich on loan, until the end of the season. In June, after he helped the club to another league title and Osasuna received €
400.000, the move was made permanent.
On 15 September 2009, Margairaz became Zürich's first scorer in the UEFA Champions League
, netting in a 2–5 home loss against Real Madrid
, in the group stage.
since 2005, Margairaz was called-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, where he had two late substitute appearances.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
footballer who plays for FC Zürich mainly as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
After beginning professionally with FC Lausanne-Sport and Neuchâtel XamaxNeuchâtel Xamax
Neuchâtel Xamax Football Club is a Swiss football club, based in Neuchâtel. It was created in 1970 through a merger between FC Cantonal and FC Xamax . The club plays in red shirts, black shorts and red socks and are currently in the Axpo Super League, the highest Swiss football league. They play...
, Margairaz was part of the 2005–06 and 2006–07 Swiss championship
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
winning teams of Fussballclub Zürich.
In May 2007, he signed a three-year contract with Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
outfit CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, where he struggled with first-team opportunities. In late February 2008, in a friendly match with SD Eibar
SD Eibar
Sociedad Deportiva Eibar, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Eibar, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded on 30 November 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B....
, Margairaz suffered a serious knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
, internal lateral ligament and external meniscus
Meniscus
The meniscus is the curve in the upper surface of a liquid close to the surface of the container or another object, caused by surface tension. It can be either convex or concave. A convex meniscus occurs when the molecules have a stronger attraction to each other than to the material of the...
). After a successful surgery in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, he missed UEFA Euro 2008, as his recovery process was estimated to be of at least eight months. This happened a week after another serious knee-injured central midfielder of the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se side, Javad Nekounam
Javad Nekounam
Javad Nekounam is an Iranian footballer who plays for CA Osasuna in La Liga.Usually playing as a central midfielder, he is known for his passing ability, defensive acumen, ball distribution and powerful long-range shots. He represented his national team over 120 times.-Early years / UAE:Having...
, began training.
On 14 January 2009, Margairaz moved back to FC Zürich on loan, until the end of the season. In June, after he helped the club to another league title and Osasuna received €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
400.000, the move was made permanent.
On 15 September 2009, Margairaz became Zürich's first scorer in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, netting in a 2–5 home loss against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, in the group stage.
International career
A member of the Swiss national teamSwitzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
since 2005, Margairaz was called-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, where he had two late substitute appearances.
Honours
- Swiss LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09