Taulant Ragip Xhaka (born 28 March 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Swiss Super League club Basel.

He is the elder brother of Granit Xhaka, who is a professional footballer who plays for Bayer Leverkusen and the Switzerland national team.

[9] On 27 September, he made his UEFA Champions League debut as a substitute in the 3–3 away draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

[16] During the 2014–15 season, Xhaka further secured his place in the starting lineup, playing 29 matches in league, as Basel were crowned champions for the sixth time in a row.

[21] He became one of the three Albania international footballers who participated in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in history, alongside Basel teammates Shkëlzen Gashi and Arlind Ajeti.

[25] Following the retirement of Matías Emilio Delgado at the start of the 2017–18 season, on 5 August 2017, Xhaka became vice-captain of the Basel team.

In the UEFA Europa League quarter-final match against Shakhtar Donetsk on 11 August 2020 Xhaka was injured and substituted out in the 60th minute.

[35] On 18 December of the same year, he received Albanian citizenship, though he still required approval from FIFA in order to represent Albania internationally.

[36] Xhaka received his first call-up by manager Gianni De Biasi for the friendly against Malta on 5 March 2014,[37] but was forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered just three days before the match.

[39][40] On 25 June, Xhaka received approval from FIFA allowing him to represent Albania in international official matches.

[41] Xhaka was fully fit ahead of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign where he received a call-up for the opening match against Portugal on 7 September 2014.

[42] He started the match and played full-90 minutes, producing a great performance and helping Albania to an empathic 1–0 win at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro.

[47] Days after the match, he along with Lorik Cana were declared citizens of honour from the mayor of the city of Mitrovica, Kosovo, for the bravery shown in protecting national symbols.

[48] Albania eventually made their way to their UEFA European Championship appearance after defeating Armenia 3–0 in the last match in which played full-90 minutes.

[54] Albania finished the group in the third position with three points and with a goal difference −2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.

[66] Xhaka scored his first international goal in his 22nd appearance in Albania's first ever match in UEFA Nations League against Israel, netting with a right shot outside the penalty area in the second half.

[67] On 15 November 2021, Xhaka announced his retirement from international football, citing his injuries and personal issues as the reasons behind his decision.