The stocky Kosovo-born winger faces an uncertain club future, but a breakout performance in Russia would leave the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man with no shortage of suitors.

Blessed with a magnificent left foot and ample creativity, Shaqiri became just the second Swiss player to score a World Cup hattrick in a 3-0 victory over Honduras in Manaus four years ago.

His penchant for the spectacular surfaced again at Euro 2016 with a stunning bicycle kick against Poland in a last-16 game his side would eventually lose on penalties.

But while a regular in the national team since his debut just prior to the 2010 finals in South Africa, an inability to cement a starting place at Bayern and then Inter points to a career that is yet to reach its apex.

At 26, the ex-Basel standout still has time on his side, but must find the right fit with his impending next move to truly establish himself as the “Alpine Messi”.

“The feeling that even a Ronaldinho could do little in this team is sobering,” Shaqiri told Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrieter in an unflattering assessment of Stoke before the club was condemned to England’s second-tier Championship.

“Shaqiri is a player who can make the difference because he can decide games on his own,” former Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said of the two-time Bundesliga champion and 2013 Champions League winner during the last World Cup.

The expectations will again be high for a player with 20 goals in 68 international appearances as Switzerland look to show their world ranking of sixth is more than just a result of shrewd planning.