Xherdan Shaqiri: Stoke winger reveals he spends his £65,000-a-week wages on countless pairs of shoes

XHERDAN SHAQIRI loves giving football the boot — so he can spend time with his shoe collection.

The Stoke forward, 25, says he likes to escape to his new footwear-filled home in Manchester.

Shaqiri, who earns £65,000 a week, said: “I like to spend my money on shoes. I don’t even know how many pairs I own.

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“I have a room full of them. I mostly buy trainers.

“I moved into a new house in Manchester. It is in a beautiful area.

“I feel happiest when I am at home with my family or closest friends and know that nobody is watching me from ten yards away.

“Everyone recognises me when I go outdoors, especially in Switzerland. I don’t mind posing for selfies, but not while I’m eating in a restaurant!

“My parents are my most frequent visitors. They come over for every second Stoke home game.
“I have a match on December 31 [at Chelsea], but the plan is for my whole family to come over and visit me.

“After the game we will celebrate New Year together.

Shaqiri signed for Stoke in a £12million deal from Inter Milan in August 2015.

The former Bayern Munich star, who began his career at Basel, says he plans on moving back to Switzerland in the future.

Shaqiei, who hopes to play at Arsenal today, said: “I plan to eventually settle down in Switzerland. I don’t know where, but Basel is an option for sure.

“I like Zurich as well, but as an ex-FC Basel player that is hardly something I can admit.”