Education
The 2008-2009 season was one to forget for him, after Bayer finished two places lower than the previous season and his goals tally dropped slightly.
The 2008-2009 season was one to forget for him, after Bayer finished two places lower than the previous season and his goals tally dropped slightly.
He usually plays out wide as a left winger but can also play in a more withdrawn role as a central midfielder. Barnetta is known for his "extreme pace, mobility and creativity". He has amassed 75 caps for the Swiss national team
Barnetta started his career with Saint Gallen in his hometown but was soon snapped up by German side Bayer Leverkusen in January 2004.
During his first season at Bayer, he had a loan spell at Hannover 96, returning to Bayer in March 2005. After a good showing at the World Cup in Germany, Barnetta became a regular in the Bayer squad.
During the summer transfer window, he was linked with a move away from Bayer as his place in the squad seemed under threat from loanee Toni Kroos. Barnetta regained his good form in the 2009-2010 season, scoring a brace in only his second league game of the season and contributing to Bayer"s unbeaten run for the entire first half of the season.
In the 2013-2014 season, Barnetta had a season long loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, returning to Schalke 04 in June 2014 whom he signed for at the end of the 2011-2012 season.
On 2 July 2012, after his contract ran out at Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04 confirmed that Barnetta signed a three-year professional contract with them until 30 June 2015, and in preparation for the Gelsenkirchen club"s participation in the Champions League. The transfer was reported as a free transfer by Schalke"s sport and communications manager Horst Heldt. Barnetta was assigned a number 27 shirt, previously worn by Ciprian Deac.
On 23 September 2014, Barnetta scored his first goal for Schalke in his second league match of the 2014-2015 season.
On 29 July 2015, Barnetta signed with the Philadelphia Union. Barnetta was called up to the squad after Johann Lonfat was injured and Davide Chiumiento had turned down a call up as the first choice replacement.
On 4 July, Barnetta was shortlisted for the tournament"s Best Young Player award. He was ever present in 2010 World Cup qualifying as the Swiss secured a place by finishing top of their group.
On 4 June 2011, Barnetta scored two free kicks in quick succession against England in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
International goals
As of 16 October 2012
Fédération internationale de football association"s official website describes Barnetta as "though primarily a creative football player, Barnetta covers ground and closes down opponents on the football pitch with the sort tireless energy and dogged determination one might expect from a tigerish central midfielder". Barnetta is regarded for bringing "drive, skill and maturity" to the Swiss national team
He has been a member of the senior national team and was first called up to the squad for the Euro 2004 but did not make an appearance.