Axel Witsel

Axel Witsel, born on January 12, 1989, is a distinguished Belgian professional footballer renowned for his versatility as a defensive midfielder and centre-back. Currently, he showcases his talents at La Liga club Girona and represents the Belgium national team on the international stage.

Witsel's football journey commenced at his hometown club, Standard Liège, where he made an impressive 183 appearances and netted 42 goals. His remarkable performances earned him five domestic trophies and the prestigious Belgian Golden Shoe in 2008, marking him as one of the standout players of his generation.

In 2012, Witsel made a significant move to Zenit Saint Petersburg for a transfer fee of forty million euros, where he enjoyed a successful stint, securing four major honors. After leaving Russia, he joined Tianjin Quanjian in January 2017, before returning to Europe with Borussia Dortmund in August 2018. During his time in the Bundesliga, he added the 2019 DFL-Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal to his accolades.

On the international front, Witsel made his senior debut for Belgium in 2008 and reached a remarkable milestone by earning his 100th cap on November 15, 2018. He has represented his country in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022) and participated in the UEFA European Championships in 2016, 2020, and 2024, playing a pivotal role in helping Belgium secure third place in the 2018 tournament.