Tranquillo Barnetta

Tranquillo Barnetta is a Swiss footballer, but he has an Italian citizenship as his father was born in that country. Barnetta started his career in FC Rotmonten St. Gallen. His talent was spotted almost immediately, which soon paid off when FC St. Gallen offered Tranquillo a move. He began his professional career in 2002 and clinched a place in the first team of the new club at the age of 17.

On 9 January 2004, Barnetta announced he would end the season in Bayer Leverkusen. However, he was instantly sent on loan to Hannover 96, where he did not make many appearances as well. Tranquillo returned to Bayer in 2005/2006, scored six goals and made seven assists, which helped him to become one of the best players of his team. However, in the following season he could not boast of the same effectiveness in spite of coming on the pitch in 30 matches. In 2008/2009 Barnetta and his team progressed to the DFB-Pokal finals, but lost to Werder Bremen. At the beginning of the following season the footballer was hit by a meniscus injury, which sentenced him to several months without decent level of fitness. Tranquillo started to regain his form by the end of the season and the promising performance helped him to get to the starting line-up of his team. Despite all problems, he managed to take second place in the Bundesliga with his club, which is a serious achievement. Before 2011/2012 he got a trauma again and this time it kept him out of action till 17 March 2012.

On 2 July 2012, he signed a three-year contract with Schalke 04.

In the season 2013/2014 Barnetta played on loan for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Barnetta was capped for the Switzerland national team at all international levels and took part in the European U-17 Championship. His senior team début came on 8 September 2004 in the match against Ireland. Tranquillo represented his country both at Euro 2008 and at the 2010 World Cup.