Axel Witsel

Axel Witsel (born January 12, 1989) is a Belgium association football player who currently plays for Standard Liège in Belgium. His natural position is right-winger but he can easily also play on the left wing or central midfield. His father has roots in Martinique and is a former football player.

Career

Before he played with Standard de Liège, he played for CS Visé. At the age of 15 he could have made the transfer to either Real Madrid or Arsenal FC, but he refused.

On September 17, 2006 a 17-years old Witsel made his debut in a competition game against FC Brussels when he replaced Steven Defour in the 89th minute. Eleven days later he made his European debut as a substitute against Celta de Vigo.

During the season of 2007-2008, at 18 years of age, he was a key member in the team that won the Belgian League title. During this year, he formed the very young midfield together with other Belgian talents such as Marouane Fellaini (19 at the time) and Steven Defour (also 19 at the time).

International career

Honours

Standard Liège
- Belgian League: Jupiler League 2007-08
- Belgian Cup: Belgian Cup 2006-07
- Belgian professional football awards: Jupiler League 2007-08
- Belgian Supercup: 2008 Belgian Super Cup

National youth team
- In the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship squads for the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship (first round)
- In the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squads for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship (semi-finals)

National team
- 2008-03-26: First selection and cap against Morocco national football team
- 2008-03-26: First international goal against Morocco

Club stats