Granit Xhaka Family: Parents, Wife, Children & Background

Forging a remarkable career hand-in-hand, Granit Xhaka has evolved from a rising talent at FC Basel to one of the levelled midfielders in the European league. Throughout his career, he scored 9 goals and 14 assists in 140 appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach; 23 goals and 29 assists in 297 matches for English club Arsenal, and 6 goals and 9 assists in 99 games for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Xhaka's passing, tactical skills, as well as leadership on the field have been appreciated and have been instrumental for Bayer 04 Leverkusen's successful run in the 2023-24 season. His public image consisted of rapid and consistent success, with media scrutiny for his temperament.

Granit Xhaka family has shown considerable support throughout his career, especially his father, his resilience amidst the struggles of sending his son to pursue a football career, along with his wife's influence on major decisions regarding moving to German clubs. His family had been the strongest pillar throughout thick and thin.

Granit Xhaka Family: Parents, Wife, Children & Background

Granit Xhaka family originates from Basel on September 27, 1992, but they later immigrated to Basel from Kosovo. In 1990, Granit Xhaka parents, who are originally Albanian, arrived in Basel from Besiane in Kosovo. The family's history has been important to Xhaka's identity, as his father Ragip Xhaka was once imprisoned in the former Yugoslavia for attending a student demonstration. That experience seems to have instilled a resilient mindset in Xhaka and his brothers.

Granit Xhaka is married to Leonita Lekaj. They got engaged after two years of dating, in June 2016, and were married in July 2017. Leonita also has Albanian-Kosovan ancestry, as she was born in Albania and grew up in Pristina, Kosovo, before her family moved to Germany. They have three daughters, Ayana (2019), Laneya (April 2021), and Neyana (March 2025).

Granit Xhaka brother, Taulant Xhaka, is also a professional footballer. Taulant plays for FC Basel, where both the Xhaka brothers began their careers. They faced each other on the international stage in Euro 2016, where Granit represented Switzerland and Taulant represented Albania. Granit Xhaka family is a blend of power, love, resilience, and grace, and a cornerstone for family support.

Granit Xhaka Parents

Granit Xhaka parents are Ragip Xhaka and Elmaze Xhaka, coming from an Albanian ethnicity. His parents had to go through rigorous times, when Granit Xhaka father Ragip was imprisoned for three years, his mother had to wait for his release, and later on they got married. Granit Xhaka family moved to Basel, Switzerland in 1990. Shortly thereafter, her first son, Taulant, and 18 months later, Granit Xhaka were born.

Granit Xhaka Father - Ragip Xhaka

Granit Xhaka father, Ragip Xhaka, was once imprisoned in former Yugoslavia for Kosovan independence. Therefore, he had been resiliently supportive of his children's careers.

Granit has once mentioned in an interview with Bayer 04 Leverkusen that he had great support from his parents, especially from his dad. He said that he wanted to quit his career, but his father had his back, saying, ‘If you’ll run now, you'll run forever from life'.

Granit Xhaka Mother- Elmaze Xhaka

Granit Xhaka mother, Elmaze Xhaka, and her husband, Ragip, migrated to Switzerland in 1990. Granit Xhaka mother was particularly noted for her support for both her sons in Euro 2016, where she was seen wearing a combination of the Albania and Switzerland team shirts, demonstrating her undivided loyalty to both her sons.

Granit Xhaka's Siblings

Granit Xhaka siblings are, Taulant Xhaka and Agnesa Xhaka. Taulant Xhaka is a professional footballer who plays for FC Basel. Their notable moment was in Euro 2016, at the Albania vs Switzerland match, where the Xhaka brothers faced each other.

Granit Xhaka's Family Background

Granit Xhaka was born in Switzerland to Albanian parents. Granit Xhaka family migrated from Kosovo to Basel, Switzerland, in 1990. Granit Xhaka parents underwent a tumultuous time when his father was imprisoned for three and a half years for participating in anti-government protests. Kosovo, was then divided between Albanians and Serbs, and the freedom struggle continued for years. So, to raise a family and choose a better life, Granit Xhaka parents migrated to Basel. Granit Xhaka father's deterred mentality quite influenced Granit and his career ahead, for which he has always credited his father's support.

Granit Xhaka Wife: Leonita Lakaj

Leonita Lakaj is an Albanian media personality and Granit Xhaka wife. She was born in Albania and grew up in Kosovo. Her parents had migrated from Tirana to Kosovo, where she did her primary and secondary education partly, before moving to Ruhr, Germany.

Leonita Lakaj came to the limelight with her marriage to Granit Xhaka, as her unwavering support for her husband's career shone a positive light on their public image.

Granit Xhaka and Leonita Lakaj: Relationship Timeline

Granit Xhaka relationship with Leonita Lakaj blossomed when Xhaka was playing for Monchengladbach in 2014, while she was working for the club. After dating for 2 years, the couple got engaged in 2016 and ultimately married in July 2017. Their wedding was a lavish one, as they posted the wedding pictures on social media with the caption, ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ Xhaka wore a blue tuxedo, and Leonita wore a gown with a neckline.

Despite practicing different religions, Granit Xhaka relationship stood strong. Leonita had been quite influential regarding Granit Xhaka's decisions, like his move to German clubs, since she was practically a German.

Granit Xhaka Children

Granit Xhaka children include his first daughter, Ayana, who was born in 2019, then second daughter, Laneya, was born in April 2021, and then third daughter, Neyana, in March 2025.