Axel Witsel
{{short description|Belgian footballer (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Axel Witsel
| image = Witsel celebrating bronze (cropped).jpg
| caption = Witsel celebrating the bronze medal with Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|1|12|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_Squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of players: Belgium |publisher=FIFA |page=3 |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730202943/https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_Squadlists.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}
| birth_place = Liège, Belgium
| height = 1.86 m{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/axel-witsel_prs103426/person.shtml |title=Axel Witsel |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=11 June 2019}}
| position = Defensive midfielder, centre-back
| currentclub = Atlético Madrid
| clubnumber = 20
| youthyears1 = 1995–1997
| youthclubs1 = RRC Vottem
| youthyears2 = 1997–1999
| youthclubs2 = CS Visé
| youthyears3 = 1999–2006
| youthclubs3 = Standard Liège
| years1 = 2006–2011
| clubs1 = Standard Liège
| caps1 = 148
| goals1 = 33
| years2 = 2011–2012
| clubs2 = Benfica
| caps2 = 32
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012–2017
| clubs3 = Zenit Saint Petersburg
| caps3 = 122
| goals3 = 16
| years4 = 2017–2018
| clubs4 = Tianjin Quanjian
| caps4 = 36
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2018–2022
| clubs5 = Borussia Dortmund
| caps5 = 105
| goals5 = 10
| years6 = 2022–
| clubs6 = Atlético Madrid
| caps6 = 82
| goals6 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2004
| nationalteam1 = Belgium U15
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2005
| nationalteam2 = Belgium U16
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2005–2006
| nationalteam3 = Belgium U17
| nationalcaps3 = 19
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam4 = Belgium U18
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2006
| nationalteam5 = Belgium U19
| nationalcaps5 = 3
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2007–2009
| nationalteam6 = Belgium U21
| nationalcaps6 = 10
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 2008–
| nationalteam7 = Belgium
| nationalcaps7 = 132
| nationalgoals7 = 12
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|BEL}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|FIFA World Cup}}
{{Medal|3rd|2018|}}
| club-update = 25 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 8 June 2024 (UTC)
}}
Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel (born 12 January 1989) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back{{cite news |last1=Barlow |first1=Ruairidh |title=Axel Witsel makes thoughts clear to Diego Simeone over position change |url=https://www.football-espana.net/2022/09/22/axel-witsel-makes-thoughts-clear-to-diego-simeone-over-position-change |access-date=1 May 2023 |publisher=Football Espana |date=22 September 2022}} for {{Spanish football updater|Atlético Madrid}} club Atlético Madrid and the Belgium national team. He originally also played in more offensive roles such as central or attacking midfielder.
Witsel began his career at hometown club Standard Liège, making 183 appearances and scoring 42 goals while winning five domestic trophies. He was awarded the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2008. After a season in Portugal with Benfica, he signed for Zenit Saint Petersburg for a €40 million fee in 2012. Witsel won four honours during his time in Russia, before leaving for Tianjin Quanjian in January 2017. He returned to Europe with Borussia Dortmund in August 2018. With the Bundesliga side, Witsel won the 2019 DFL-Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal.
Witsel made his senior international debut in 2008 and earned his 100th cap for Belgium on 15 November 2018. He represented the country at the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and the UEFA European Championship in 2016, 2020 and 2024, helping them to third place in the 2018 tournament.
Club career
=Standard Liège=
On 17 September 2006, a 17-year-old Witsel made his debut with Standard Liège during a competitive game against FC Brussels when he replaced Steven Defour in the 89th minute. Eleven days later, he made his European debut as a substitute.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
During the 2007–08 season, at 18 years of age, he was a key member in the squad of Standard Liège, winners of the Belgian League title that year. During this year, he formed a very young midfield together with other Belgian talents Defour and Marouane Fellaini. In the following season, he scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in a two-legged playoff to decide the championship.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
On 30 August 2009, Witsel sparked controversy when he broke Marcin Wasilewski's leg by stamping on his ankle during the match between Anderlecht and Standard.{{cite web|publisher=Sporza |title=Witsel breekt been van Wasilewski in tackle |url=http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/Jupiler_Pro_League/090830_Wasilewski_tackle_Witsel |access-date=31 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901061702/http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/Jupiler_Pro_League/090830_Wasilewski_tackle_Witsel |archive-date=1 September 2009 }}{{cite web|publisher=YouTube|title=Anderlecht-Standard faute d'Axel Witsel sur Wasilewski |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OapMvlhZOQ|access-date=31 August 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} Following the tackle, Witsel protested the red card, claiming that it was an accident without intent, before being sent off the pitch. He soon apologised, but was the subject of criticism from several media outlets and numerous death threats from angry Anderlecht and Poland fans.{{cite web|url=http://goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2009/09/01/1474358/standard-liege-stars-defour-witsel-receive-death-threats|title=Standard Liege Stars Defour & Witsel Receive Death Threats - Report - Goal.com|date=1 September 2009|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=16 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116093358/http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2009/09/01/1474358/standard-liege-stars-defour-witsel-receive-death-threats|url-status=dead}} The initial ban until 23 November by the Belgian Football Association,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/standard-liege-midfielder-axel-witsel-3372233|title=Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel banned for horror tackle|work=MirrorFootball|date=1 September 2009|access-date=26 June 2016}} was later reduced on appeal to eight matches.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05092009/58/champions-league-witsel-horror-tackle-ban-reduced.html|title=Yahoo UK & Ireland – Sports News – Live Scores – Results|access-date=26 June 2016}}
=Benfica=
Witsel signed for Portuguese club Benfica on a five-year deal on 13 July 2011, including a €40 million buyout clause.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/934507/benfica-complete-signing-of-belgium-international-axel-witsel?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124071444/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/934507/benfica-complete-signing-of-belgium-international-axel-witsel?cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2013 |title=Benfica sign Witsel |publisher=ESPNFC |date=14 July 2011}} Witsel scored twice in the 3–1 win against FC Twente, in the Champions League play-off second leg, on 24 August 2011, sending Benfica to the group stages with a 5–3 aggregate victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01f4-0e7956dc894c-3396335b6c1a-1000--witsel-delivers-as-benfica-oust-twente/ |title=Witsel delivers as Benfica oust Twente |publisher=UEFA |date=24 August 2011}}
File:Axel Witsel.jpg against Zenit in 2012]]
He scored the opening goal in a 4–1 thrashing of Vitória de Guimarães in the Taça da Liga on 9 January 2012.{{cite web |url=http://lpfp.pt/taca_liga/pages/jogo.aspx?epoca=20112012&jornada=6&jogo=7308 |title=V.Guimarães 1–4 Benfica |publisher=LPFP |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428112211/http://www.lpfp.pt/taca_liga/pages/jogo.aspx?epoca=20112012&jornada=6&jogo=7308 |archive-date=28 April 2012 |url-status=dead}} He then assisted Nolito in a 4–1 league defeat of Vitória de Setúbal. Witsel scored his fourth goal against Santa Clara on 18 January in a Taça da Liga match.{{cite web |url=http://lpfp.pt/taca_liga/pages/jogo.aspx?epoca=20112012&jornada=7&jogo=7310 |title=Benfica 2–0 Sta. Clara |publisher=LPFP |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801085810/http://www.lpfp.pt/taca_liga/pages/jogo.aspx?epoca=20112012&jornada=7&jogo=7310 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |url-status=dead}} Benfica reached the final on 14 April against Gil Vicente and Witsel was awarded the Man of the Match award as Benfica claimed their fourth Taça da Liga title with a 2–1 victory.{{cite web |url=http://lpfp.pt/Pages/WitselfoioManofTheMatch.aspx |title=Witsel foi o Man of The Match |publisher=LPFP |date=15 April 2012 |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714053927/http://lpfp.pt/Pages/WitselfoioManofTheMatch.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}
=Zenit Saint Petersburg=
On 3 September 2012, Witsel signed for Zenit Saint Petersburg for €40 million, after signing a five-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.fc-zenit.ru/main/news/60736.html|title=Официальный сайт ФК "Зенит"|access-date=26 June 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR41312.pdf |title=Comunicado |language=pt |trans-title=Announcement |date=3 September 2012 |publisher=CMVM |access-date=31 December 2014}} Witsel made his debut in the Russian Premier League on 14 September, replacing Konstantin Zyryanov in the 70th minute as Zenit fell 2–0 to Terek Grozny.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=342396&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124074355/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=342396&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2013 |title=Zenit 0 – 2 Terek Grozny |publisher=ESPNFC |date=14 September 2012}} He scored his first two goals for the club on 30 November when Zenit brushed aside Spartak Moscow 4–2 at the Luzhniki Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/357869/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901 |title=Spartak Moscow 2 – 4 Zenit St Petersburg |publisher=ESPNFC |date=30 November 2012}} Witsel scored Zenit's winner against Terek Grozny on 30 March 2013, an eighth-minute strike, as his side cruised to a 3–0 league victory.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/358127/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901 |title=Terek Grozny 0–3 Zenit St. Petersburg |publisher=ESPNFC |date=30 March 2013 }}
In Zenit's first match of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League group stage on 16 September 2014, Witsel scored Zenit's second goal in a 2–0 away victory over former club Benfica.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0219-0e8c40e43b02-5b327bce180c-1000--familiar-zenit-faces-come-back-to-haunt-benfica/ |title=Familiar Zenit faces come back to haunt Benfica |work=UEFA |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=17 July 2015 }} After finishing third in their Champions League group, Zenit were parachuted into the Europa League knockout phase; in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash against Torino on 12 March 2015, Witsel scored on a rebound as Zenit defeated the Italian club 2–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0253-0d804a128c0b-0d67f6d5603a-1000--zenit-ease-to-victory-over-ten-man-torino/ |title=Zenit ease to victory over ten-man Torino |work=UEFA |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015 }} On 26 April, Witsel scored the game's only goal in the seventeenth minute as Zenit defeated Arsenal Tula in a league match at the Petrovsky Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/russian-premier-league/zenit-st-petersburg-fc-arsenal-tula-18571/ |title=Zenit St Petersburg 1–0 FC Arsenal Tula |work=Yahoo Sports! |date=26 April 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015 }} On Sunday 17 May, Witsel played the full 90 minutes as Zenit drew 1–1 with FC Ufa, earning the point they needed to secure the Premier League crown, the club's fourth overall and Witsel's first with Zenit.{{cite news |last1=Grez |first1=Matias |title=Zenit St. Petersburg celebrate their fourth league title |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/01/football/gallery/zenit-title-celebrations/index.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=CNN |date=2 June 2015}}
File:Dundolk-Zenit (21).jpg against Dundalk in 2016]]
In the 2015 Russian Super Cup on 12 July 2015, Witsel converted his penalty shot in a 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory over FC Lokomotiv Moscow after the match had finished 1–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfpl.org/match/match_10880.html |title=Суперкубок России по футболу 2015, Финал |work=RFPL |date=12 July 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015 |language=ru }}
=Tianjin Quanjian=
On 3 January 2017, Zenit officially announced that Witsel has moved to Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian.{{cite web|publisher=FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|url=http://fc-zenit.ru/news/feed/2017/01/03/aksel-vitsel-prodolzhit-kareru-v-kitae/|title=Witsel will continue his career in China|date=3 January 2017|language=ru}}
On 4 March 2017, Witsel made his debut for Quanjian in a 2–0 loss to Guangzhou R&F.{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com.au/chinese-super-league/story/3074387/alexandre-pato-struggles-as-tianjin-quanjian-slump-vs-guangzhou-randf|title=Alexandre Pato struggles as Tianjin Quanjian slump vs. Guangzhou R&F|date=4 March 2017|work=ESPN}} A week later he scored the club's first ever goal in the Chinese Super League during a 1–1 draw with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/video/news/witsel-scores-quanjians-maiden-csl-goal/vp-AAo96zl|title=Witsel scores Quanjian's maiden CSL goal|date=11 March 2017|work=MSN}}
=Borussia Dortmund=
File:Alex Witsel 2021.jpg in 2021]]
On 6 August 2018, Witsel signed for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and agreed a four-year contract which would last until 30 June 2022.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11899/11463405/axel-witsel-to-join-borussia-dortmund-from-tianjin-quanjian|title=Axel Witsel to join Borussia Dortmund from Tianjin Quanjian|publisher=SkySports|access-date=7 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bvb.de/eng/News/Overview/Axel-Witsel-arrives-at-the-BVB-training-camp|title=Axel Witsel arrives at the BVB training camp |publisher= Borussia Dortmund|access-date=7 August 2018}} On 21 August, he scored an equalizing goal in the stoppage time to make it 1–1 after coming on as a substitute on his debut for the club against SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the DFB-Pokal first round match and later his side went on to win the match in the extra time with a 2-1 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45254350|title=Axel Witsel saves Borussia Dortmund on debut in German Cup|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 August 2018}} Witsel scored his first Bundesliga goal on his league debut for the club with an overhead kick in a 4–1 victory over RB Leipzig on 26 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/borussia-dortmung-rb-leipzig-live-blog-pulisic-reus-witsel-werner-delaney-511044.jsp|title=Borussia Dortmund 4-1 RB Leipzig: As it happened!|publisher=Bundesliga|access-date=27 August 2018}}
= Atletico Madrid =
On 7 July 2022, Atlético Madrid officially announced that Witsel had signed for the club on a one-year contract via a free transfer after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired.{{Cite web |title=Club Atlético de Madrid - Witsel is now a Red & White player |url=https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/witsel-is-now-a-red-white-player |access-date=7 July 2022 |website=Club Atlético de Madrid |date=6 July 2022 |language=en}} Under manager Diego Simeone, Witsel began to play as a defender in the middle of a back three in the 5–3–2 formation.{{cite web | url=https://www.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/ya-conocemos-las-alineaciones-titulares-para-el-getafe-atleti-4 | title=Club Atlético de Madrid - Ya conocemos las alineaciones titulares para el Getafe-Atleti | date=15 August 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/ya-conocemos-las-alineaciones-titulares-para-el-atleti-villarreal-4 | title=Club Atlético de Madrid - Ya conocemos las alineaciones titulares para el Atleti-Villarreal | date=21 August 2022 }} On 13 June 2024, he extended his contract until 2025.{{cite web |url=https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/axel-witsel-set-to-grace-our-colours-until-2025 |title=Axel Witsel: set to grace our colours until 2025 |publisher=Atlético Madrid |date=13 June 2024 }}
International career
Prior to making his international debut for the senior side, Witsel played for the under-21 side in 2007, earning nine caps as well as helping his side reach the semi-finals of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
On 26 March 2008, Witsel made his senior international debut for Belgium during a friendly game against Morocco. The match resulted in a 1–4 loss, but Witsel scored his first goal.{{cite news |title=Axel Witsel marque, Stijn Stijnen se troue deux fois |url=http://archives.lesoir.be/-p-axel-witsel-marque-stijn-stijnen-se-troue-deux-fois-_t-20080327-00FFGG.html |work=Le Soir |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=4 December 2014 |language=fr}}
File:Axel Witsel Belgium.jpg before playing Austria in the qualification for UEFA Euro 2012]]
Witsel's first goal in a competitive international match came a day short of three years after the Morocco goal, in the sixth minute against Austria in Group A of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying process, and his second would come in the second half. However, Belgian hopes of qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 were dashed on 11 October 2011, by defeat to Germany coupled with Turkey's victory over Azerbaijan.{{cite news|title=Germany stamp out Belgium's fire|date=11 October 2011|first=Steffen|last=Potter|work=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=24 January 2018|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7d229de0fb-f034e08524d8-1000--germany-stamp-out-belgium-s-fire/}}
On 13 May 2014, Witsel was named in Belgium's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news|title=Adnan Januzaj included in Belgium's World Cup squad|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27395150|access-date=15 May 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2014}} He started in midfield in the team's first game of the tournament, a 2–1 win against Algeria in Belo Horizonte.{{cite news|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Saj|title=Belgium 2–1 Algeria|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285127|access-date=17 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=17 June 2014}}
Witsel also featured in the Belgian squad at UEFA Euro 2016, announced on 31 May 2016.{{Cite tweet |author=BelgianRedDevils |user=@BelRedDevils |number=737693491627720705 |date=31 May 2016 |title=.OFFICIAL ! Our final #Euro2016 squad list & numbers ! #TousenFrance |access-date=24 January 2018}} He scored his first tournament goal during the Championships, in a Group E match against the Republic of Ireland.{{cite news |first=Sid |last=Lowe |title=Belgium get going as Romelu Lukaku punishes Republic of Ireland |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/belgium-republic-of-ireland-euro-2016-match-report |website=The Guardian |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=14 October 2016}}
File:Axel Witsel 2018.jpg during the 2018 FIFA World Cup]]
He scored twice in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, both in wide victories over Gibraltar.{{cite news |last1=Dorman |first1=Matt |title=Belgium 9 Gibraltar 0: Trebles for Meunier and Lukaku as Hazard makes scoring return |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/55/main/2017/08/31/38240092/belgium-9-gibraltar-0-trebles-for-meunier-and-lukaku-as |access-date=4 September 2018 |publisher=Goal.com |date=31 August 2017}} Manager Roberto Martínez named him in the squad for the final tournament in Russia.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Belgium include Vincent Kompany but Christian Benteke misses out |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44353673 |access-date=4 September 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2018}} Witsel was part of the Belgian squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the team performed badly, failing to make it out of the group stage. On 17 March 2023, new Belgian coach Domenico Tedesco dropped Witsel from the squad for European Championship qualifying games, citing the player's lack of playing time.{{cite news |date=17 March 2023 |title=Belgium coach Tedesco wields the axe for Euro qualifiers |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/belgium-coach-tedesco-wields-axe-euro-qualifiers-2023-03-17/ |access-date=17 March 2023}}
On 12 May 2023, Witsel announced his retirement from the national team on Instagram, having made 130 appearances for Belgium.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/belgium-midfielder-witsel-retires-international-football-2023-05-12/|title=Belgium midfielder Witsel retires from international football|publisher=Reuters|date=12 May 2023|access-date=12 May 2023}} However, Witsel would later reverse his decision and on 28 May 2024, he was included in Belgium's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.rbfa.be/en/news/25-devils-go-euro-2024| title=25 DEVILS GO TO EURO 2024 | website=rbfa.be | language=en | access-date=28 May 2024}}
Personal life
Witsel has three children.{{cite news|title=Axel Witsel en très charmante compagnie|url=http://www.dhnet.be/archive/axel-witsel-en-tres-charmante-compagnie-51b7e153e4b0de6db992d370|language=fr|access-date=23 April 2014|work=La Dernière Heure|date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831220526/http://www.dhnet.be/archive/axel-witsel-en-tres-charmante-compagnie-51b7e153e4b0de6db992d370|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sudinfo.be/1310603/article/2015-06-14/axel-rafaella-witsel-eblouissants-lors-de-leur-mariage-religieux-photos|language=fr|title=Axel & Rafaella Witsel éblouissants lors de leur mariage religieux|date=13 June 2015|work=Sudinfo.be|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625022110/http://www.sudinfo.be/1310603/article/2015-06-14/axel-rafaella-witsel-eblouissants-lors-de-leur-mariage-religieux-photos|archive-date=25 June 2016|url-status=dead}} He is of Martiniquais descent through his father.{{cite news |title=Mondial 2018 - France Belgique: Axel Witsel, l'autre Antillais endiablé |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/mondial-2018-france-belgique-axel-witsel-autre-martiniquais-endiable-607799.html |access-date=11 July 2018 |agency=franceinfo |publisher=franceinfo |date=10 July 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Dalmat |first1=Syanie |title=Axel Witsel, le Belge qui aurait pu jouer pour la France |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Axel-witsel-un-martiniquais-chez-les-belges/920984 |access-date=11 July 2018 |publisher=L'Equipe |date=10 July 2018}} He was a boyhood Arsenal fan.{{Cite web |date=7 May 2015 |title=Boyhood Arsenal fan Axel Witsel: "I have always liked Manchester United since I was young" |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/boyhood-arsenal-fan-axel-witsel-i-have-always-liked-manchester-united-since-i-was-young_sto4718565/story.shtml |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Eurosport UK |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Club=
File:Dundolk-Zenit (9).jpg action for Zenit, facing Dundalk in 2016]]
{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Belgian Cup, Taça de Portugal, Russian Cup, Chinese FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, Copa del Rey}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="6"|Standard Liège
|rowspan="5"|Belgian Pro League |16 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | ||||
| 2007–08
|33 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 8 | ||||
| 2008–09
|35 | 8 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 9 | |||
| 2009–10
|27 | 6 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 11 | ||
| 2010–11
|37 | 10 | 6 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 12 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!148 | 33 | 7 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 183 | 42 | ||
| rowspan=3|Benfica
|rowspan="2"|Primeira Liga |29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 49 | 5 | ||
| 2012–13
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 52 | 5 | ||
| rowspan="6"|Zenit Saint Petersburg
|rowspan="5"|Russian Premier League |19 | 4 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 5 | |||
| 2013–14
|30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 11{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=RSC|Appearance in Russian Super Cup}} | 0 | 43 | 4 | ||
| 2014–15
|28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13{{efn|Seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 42 | 6 | |||
| 2015–16
|29 | 3 | 4 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | 1{{efn|name=RSC}} | 0 | 41 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17
|16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!122 | 16 | 10 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 180 | 22 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Tianjin Quanjian
|2017 |rowspan="2"|Chinese Super League |27 | 4 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 4 | ||||
| 2018
|9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|Appearances in AFC Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!36 | 5 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 47 | 6 | |||
| rowspan="5"|Borussia Dortmund
|rowspan="4"|Bundesliga |33 | 4 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 6 | |||
| 2019–20
|28 | 4 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=DFL}} | 0 | 39 | 4 | ||
| 2020–21
|15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22
|29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=DFL|Appearance in DFL-Supercup}} | 0 | 41 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!105 | 10 | 11 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 145 | 13 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Atlético Madrid
|rowspan="3"|La Liga |33 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24
|35 | 2 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Supercopa de España}} | 0 | 51 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25
|14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 2 | 12 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 115 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!524 | 67 | 44 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 141 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 721 | 90 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
File:2017 RUS v BEL exhibition - Axel Witsel.jpg
{{updated|match played 8 June 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="17"|Belgium
|2008 | 7 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 11 | 3 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 1 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 2 |
| 2017 | 7 | 1 |
| 2018 | 13 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 1 |
| 2021 | 10 | 1 |
| 2022 | 10 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total||132||12 |
|---|
:Belgium score listed first, score column indicates score after each Witsel goal.{{cite web |url=http://static.belgianfootball.be/project/publiek/jrinteren/speler_PH_5254.htm#itop |title=Axel Witsel |website=Royal Belgian Football Association |access-date=14 October 2016}}
Honours
Benfica
Zenit
Borussia Dortmund
- DFB-Pokal: 2020–21
- DFL-Supercup: 2019{{cite news |location=Dortmund |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/de/bundesliga/news/supercup-borussia-dortmund-fc-bayern-munchen-spielbericht-5996 |title=Borussia Dortmund gewinnt den Supercup 2019 gegen den FC Bayern München |trans-title=Borussia Dortmund wins the 2019 Supercup against FC Bayern Munich |website=Bundesliga.com |publisher=Deutsche Fußball Liga |date=3 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803221924/https://www.bundesliga.com/de/bundesliga/news/supercup-borussia-dortmund-fc-bayern-munchen-spielbericht-5996 |archive-date=3 August 2019}}
Belgium
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_Squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of players: Belgium |publisher=FIFA |page=3 |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730202943/https://www.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_Squadlists.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Individual
- Belgian Young Footballer of the Year: 2007–08
- Belgian Golden Shoe: 2008{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01d5-0f85a7eedcf7-523544463a16-1000--witsel-honoured-as-belgium-s-best-of-2008/|title=Witsel honoured as Belgium's best of 2008|publisher=UEFA|date=22 January 2009|access-date=4 August 2019}}
- O Jogo Team of the Year: 2012
See also
{{Portal bar|Association football|Belgium|Biography}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- [https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/jugadores/axel-witsel-2024-2025-2 Profile] at the Atlético Madrid website
- {{RBFA player}}
- {{UEFA player}}
- {{FIFA player}}
{{Atlético Madrid squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Belgium squads
| bg = #E20E0E
| fg = #FDDA25
| bordercolor = black
| list1 =
{{Belgium squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Belgium squad UEFA Euro 2016}}
{{Belgium squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Belgium squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{Belgium squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Belgium squad UEFA Euro 2024}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year}}
{{Belgian Golden Shoe}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Witsel, Axel}}
Category:Belgian people of Martiniquais descent
Category:Footballers from Liège
Category:Black Belgian sportspeople
Category:21st-century Belgian sportsmen
Category:Belgian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Standard Liège players
Category:S.L. Benfica footballers
Category:FC Zenit Saint Petersburg players
Category:Tianjin Tianhai F.C. players
Category:Atlético Madrid footballers
Category:Borussia Dortmund players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:Chinese Super League players
Category:Belgium men's youth international footballers
Category:Belgium men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Belgium men's international footballers
Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players
Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players
Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players
Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players
Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players
Category:UEFA Euro 2024 players
Category:FIFA Men's Century Club
Category:Belgian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in China
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China