War of Soccer
Axel Witsel — Axel Witsel during USMNT v Belgium on March 28 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaDF
Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Player profile

Axel Witsel

Defender · Girona

BelgiumActive

Axel Witsel, 37, went to his fourth World Cup as one of Belgium's most experienced players with 136 senior caps, even as his one-season spell at Girona ended following the club's relegation to Spain's second division.

Career

Witsel joined Girona on a free transfer from Atlético Madrid in August 2025, making 32 LaLiga appearances with 1 goal and 2 assists before Girona were relegated at the end of the season.

With his Girona contract expiring 30 June 2026 and no interest in staying past that date or returning to boyhood club Standard Liège, Witsel departed after a single season, heading into the World Cup as a free agent.

How they play

A deep-lying midfielder who can also cover at centre-back, Witsel's game is built on positioning, composure on the ball and reading the game rather than pace — the profile of a veteran squad anchor.

Where they are now

Witsel was named in Rudi Garcia's final 26 for Belgium, heading into his fourth World Cup after 2014, 2018 and 2022, and is one of the most experienced players in the tournament.

Bio

Date of birthJanuary 12, 1989 (age 37)
BirthplaceLiège
Height186 cm
PositionDefender
StatusActive
Current clubGirona

Club career

  1. Girona FCSince 2025Current
  2. Atlético Madrid2022–2025
  3. Borussia Dortmund2018–2022
  4. Tianjin Tianhai F.C.2017–2018
  5. FC Zenit Saint Petersburg2012–2016
  6. S.L. Benfica2011–2012
  7. Standard Liège2006–2011

International career

  1. Belgium men's national football teamSince 2008Current

Youth caps: U21 (2007–2009) · U18 (2006–2007) · U19 (2006) · U17 (2005–2006) · U16 (2005) · U15 (2004)

Honours

  • Belgian Golden Shoe2008

Defining moments

  1. A fourth World Cup at 372026

    Witsel's selection for the 2026 tournament made it his fourth World Cup appearance, following 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Latest season stats (ESPN)

Starts (sub-ins): 0 (0)Goals: 0Assists: 0Tackles: 0

In our archive

0 appearances0 goals0 assists

We haven’t archived a match featuring this player yet — appearances appear here the moment we cover one.

Sources

Read for this profile

Profile written / last reviewed August 14, 2026.

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Comments

0/2000

Be decent. No links. Slurs are held for review, not published.

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