| Xavier Margairaz | |
| Fullname: | Xavier Margairaz[1] |
| Birth Date: | 7 January 1984 |
| Birth Place: | Rances, Switzerland |
| Height: | 1.85 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | 1991–1996 |
| Youthclubs1: | Rances |
| Youthyears2: | 1996–2000 |
| Youthclubs2: | Yverdon Sport |
| Years1: | 2000–2003 |
| Caps1: | 46 |
| Goals1: | 3 |
| Years2: | 2003–2005 |
| Caps2: | 34 |
| Goals2: | 5 |
| Years3: | 2005–2007 |
| Caps3: | 78 |
| Goals3: | 20 |
| Years4: | 2007–2009 |
| Caps4: | 13 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2009 |
| Clubs5: | → Zürich (loan) |
| Caps5: | 13 |
| Goals5: | 2 |
| Years6: | 2009–2012 |
| Caps6: | 80 |
| Goals6: | 16 |
| Years7: | 2012–2013 |
| Caps7: | 35 |
| Goals7: | 5 |
| Years8: | 2014 |
| Caps8: | 10 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Years9: | 2015–2017 |
| Caps9: | 53 |
| Goals9: | 3 |
| Totalcaps: | 362 |
| Totalgoals: | 54 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2005–2010 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 18 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 1 |
Xavier Margairaz (born 7 January 1984) is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Margairaz was born in Rances. After beginning professionally with FC Lausanne-Sport and Neuchâtel Xamax, he was part of the 2005–06 and 2006–07 Super League-winning teams of Fussballclub Zürich.
In May 2007, Margairaz signed a three-year contract with Spanish side CA Osasuna,[2] where he struggled with first-team opportunities. In late February 2008, in a friendly match with SD Eibar, he 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;[3] this happened a week after another serious knee-injured central midfielder of the Navarrese club, Javad Nekounam, began training.
On 14 January 2009, Margairaz moved back to FC Zürich on loan until the end of the season.[4] In June, after he helped the team 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.[5] In January 2012, he moved to FC Sion on a three-and-a-half-year contract, leaving in June of the following year.[6]
A member of the Swiss national team since 2005, Margairaz was called up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he had two late substitute appearances.[7] [8]
Margairaz's older brother, Sascha, was also a footballer. He played mainly in the lower leagues and amateur football.[9] [10]
Zürich