Michael Lang is a Swiss footballer born in 1991, known for his defensive skills.
Lang is best known for his time at FC Basel, where he played 263 games.
He made his domestic league debut for FC St. Gallen at just 16 years old, becoming one of the youngest players in the Swiss Super League.
Biography
Early Life and Youth Career
Michael Rico Lang, born in 1991, is a Swiss former professional footballer known for his role as a defender. He began his football journey in the youth department of FC St. Gallen in 2000, where he quickly progressed through the ranks. By 2006, he was playing for the U-21 team and made his first-team debut on May 24, 2007, at just 16 years old, making him one of the youngest players to debut in the Swiss Super League.
Professional Career
Lang's professional career took off at FC St. Gallen, where he played until 2011, making 66 appearances and scoring four goals. In the summer of 2011, he signed a four-year contract with Grasshopper Club Zürich, contributing to their success in the Swiss Cup. His career continued to flourish as he joined FC Basel in 2015, where he became a key player, appearing in 263 matches and winning multiple titles, including the Swiss Super League.
International Career
Lang's international career began with the Switzerland national under-16 team in 2005, progressing through various age levels until he made his senior debut on August 14, 2013, against Brazil. He played a significant role in Switzerland's qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and participated in the 2016 European Championships and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he was notably sent off in the knockout stage against Sweden.
Legacy and Honors
Throughout his career, Lang has received numerous accolades, including being named Swiss Super League Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season and being selected for the Swiss Super League Team of the Year multiple times. His contributions to Swiss football, both at the club and international levels, have solidified his legacy as a prominent figure in the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of 12 November 2024
International
As of 18 November 2019
As of 15 October 2018. Switzerland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lang goal.
St. Gallen
In the year 2000 Lang joined the youth department of FC St. Gallen and in 2006 he advanced to play in their U-21 team, who played in the 1. Liga, at that time the third tier in the Swiss football league system. On the last matchday of the 2006–07 Swiss Super League season, on 24 May 2007, he played his domestic league debut for the first team in the away game as FCSG played a 1–1 draw against Aarau. He played his first league match at age 16, making him one of the youngest debut players in the Swiss Super League to that date. Lang remained with the U-21 team, but came to three appearances in their first team in the 2007–08 Swiss Super League, however FCSG suffered relegation. The following season FCSG won the 2008–09 Swiss Challenge League and as division champions won immediate promotion. Lang had nine appearances and scored one goal that season. Lang remained with the club for two further seasons. During his time with them he played 66 first team matches and scored four goals for them.
Grasshopper Club
In the summer 2011 he signed a four-year contract with Grasshopper Club Zürich, the Swiss record football champion. The Swiss Cup one of the semi-finals was the derby between Zürich and Grasshopper Club. FCZ went ahead in the first half, but GC were able to draw level before half time. No further goals fell and so the game went into extra time. Izet Hajrović scored the winning goal in the 94th minute and GC advanced to the final. This was played…
Lang made his first senior international appearance for Switzerland on 14 August 2013 in the friendly against Brazil. He came on as a second-half substitute for Stephan Lichtsteiner as the team won 1–0 at St. Jakob-Park. He scored his first goal in his second appearance later on 11 October in the 2–1 win against Albania in match 9 of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Group E; this win clinched Switzerland's place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Lang was called by manager Ottmar Hitzfeld in the squad of 23 players for the final tournament. He played his first and only match of the campaign in the final Group E game against Honduras, entering in the final 13 minutes. Switzerland was eventually knocked out of the tournament by Argentina in the round of 16. He was part of the squad for the 2016 European Championships where the team achieved the best result reaching round of 16. He was included in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was sent off in Switzerland's 1–0 defeat to Sweden in the round of 16 for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity in the 90+4th minute, becoming the only player in to tournament to be sent off in the knockout stage In May 2019, he played in 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where his team finished 4th.
- Club
- FC St. Gallen (2006–2011)
- Club
- Switzerland men's national football team (2013–)
- Club
- FC Basel (2015–)
- Club
- Grasshopper Club Zürich (2011–2015)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-16 association football team (2005–2007)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-17 association football team (2007–2008)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-18 association football team (2008–2009)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-19 association football team (2009–2010)
- Club
- Switzerland national under-20 association football team (2010–2012)
- National team
- Switzerland
Legacy
St. Gallen
Swiss Challenge League: 2008–09 Grasshopper
Swiss Cup: 2012–13 Basel
Swiss Super League: 2015–16, 2016–17 Swiss Cup: 2016–17
Individual
Swiss Super League Player of the Year: 2017–18 Swiss Super League Team of the Year: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2022–23
Clubs
- Switzerland men's national football team2013current
- FC Basel2015current
- Switzerland national under-16 association football team2005–2007
- FC St. Gallen2006–2011
- Switzerland national under-17 association football team2007–2008
- Switzerland national under-18 association football team2008–2009
- Switzerland national under-19 association football team2009–2010
- Switzerland national under-20 association football team2010–2012
- Grasshopper Club Zürich2011–2015
Played together with
- Aarón GalindoGrasshopper Club Zürich · 2007–2007
Adama TraoréFC Basel · 2015- Adilson Tavares VarelaFC Basel · 2007–2013
- Admir SmajićFC Basel · 1993–1997
- Adolphe HugGrasshopper Club Zürich · 1941–1942
- Adonis AjetiFC Basel · 2014–2016
- Adrian DurrerFC Basel · 2019–2021
- Adrian FalubFC Basel · 1996–1997
- Adrian KnupFC Basel · 1986–1988
- Adrian KnupFC Basel · 1996–1998
Adrian WinterFC St. Gallen · 2008–2011
Adrie van KraayFC Basel · 1984–1985
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Michael Rico Lang is a Swiss former professional footballer, best known for his time as defender of Swiss Super League club FC Basel, for whom he's played 263 games. He also played for FC St. Gallen and Grasshopper Club Zürich in Switzerland, as well as Borussia Mönchengladbach and Werder Bremen in Germany.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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