Birthday boy of the month: Tranquillo Barnetta turns 40

In the same year, Tranquillo was the youngest player in the St. Gallen senior squad to secure a regular place in the first team and over two years he scored twelve goals in 60 games.

The speedy winger, who could play on the right or the left, was signed by Bayer 04 in 2004 and loaned out to league rivals Hannover 96 for a year straightaway. He was supposed to collect match practice in the Bundesliga but he missed almost the whole season through injury.

seven years at the werkself

Quillo finally moved under the Bayer Cross for the new 2005/06 campaign and he became a regular starter. He played for the Werkself for seven years and made at least 30 Bundesliga appearances in each of the first five years. His biggest success with Bayer 04 was reaching the DFB Pokal final in 2009. His period of suffering began at the start of the Rückrunde on 14 January 2011 when he picked up a knee injury. He did return to the starting XI two months later but was sidelined for half the season in the following 2011/12 campaign. After 228 appearances for Bayer 04, with 26 goals scored, he decided to move on to Schalke 04.

However, he did not establish himself in the starting line-up. Quillo went out on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt after a disappointing year to gain match practice to put himself forward for the Switzerland squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was in the Switzerland squad but did not play in South America. Quillo has 75 caps for Switzerland and has scored ten goals on the international stage.

via the USA back to the "love of his youth"

After another season at Schalke 04, he went to the USA for a year. He played for Philadelphia Union. After that experience he returned to the "love of his youth". In 2017 he signed for FC St. Gallen again for two years. Tranquillo Barnetta played another 50 times for the club and received a brilliant farewell on his last home game against the Switzerland champions Young Boys on his 34th birthday. He scored a goal in the 4-1 win and left the pitch in added time with mixed emotions.

Quillo became a house husband after the end of his playing career. His wife works as a doctor and he looks after the three children in his home town. He is active in community affairs and is also an ambassador for the Special Olympics.

Dear Quillo, I wish you all the best for your 40th birthday. Many happy returns and enjoy your birthday.