View source for 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 national football team|Belgium]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]
| full_name = Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal2013.fpf.pt/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?language=pt-PT&EntryId=15142&Command=Core_Download&PortalId=0&TabId=590 |title=Conselho de disciplina |trans-title=Disciplinary board |publisher=Portuguese Football Federation |page=2 |date=23 March 2012 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619153749/http://portal2013.fpf.pt/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?language=pt-PT&EntryId=15142&Command=Core_Download&PortalId=0&TabId=590 |archive-date=19 June 2016}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|1|12|df=y}}<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Liège]], Belgium
| height = 1.86 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/axel-witsel_prs103426/person.shtml |title=Axel Witsel |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
| 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 = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
| caps2 = 32
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2012–2017
| clubs3 = [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]]
| caps3 = 122
| goals3 = 16
| years4 = 2017–2018
| clubs4 = [[Tianjin Quanjian F.C.|Tianjin Quanjian]]
| caps4 = 36
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2018–2022
| clubs5 = [[Borussia Dortmund]]
| caps5 = 105
| goals5 = 10
| years6 = 2022–2025
| clubs6 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps6 = 82
| goals6 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2004
| nationalteam1 = [[Belgium national youth football team|Belgium U15]]
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2005
| nationalteam2 = [[Belgium national youth football team|Belgium U16]]
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2005–2006
| nationalteam3 = [[Belgium national under-17 football team|Belgium U17]]
| nationalcaps3 = 19
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam4 = [[Belgium national under-18 football team|Belgium U18]]
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2006
| nationalteam5 = [[Belgium national under-19 football team|Belgium U19]]
| nationalcaps5 = 3
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2007–2009
| nationalteam6 = [[Belgium national under-21 football team|Belgium U21]]
| nationalcaps6 = 10
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 2008–
| nationalteam7 = [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]
| nationalcaps7 = 132
| nationalgoals7 = 12
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|BEL}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2018 FIFA World Cup|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 [[Football player|footballer]] who plays as a [[defensive midfielder]] or [[centre-back]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> for the [[Belgium national football team|Belgium national team]]. He originally also played in more offensive roles such as [[central midfielder|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 [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], he signed for [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] for a €40 million fee in 2012. Witsel won four honours during his time in Russia, before leaving for [[Tianjin Quanjian F.C.|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 (sport)|cap]] for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] on 15 November 2018. He represented the country at the [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]], [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]] and [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022]], and the [[UEFA European Championship]] in [[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]], [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]] and [[UEFA Euro 2024|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 (football)|substitute]].{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

During the [[2007–08 Belgian First Division|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 [[2008–09 Belgian First Division|following season]], he scored the winning goal [[Penalty kick (association football)|from the penalty spot]] in a [[two-legged match|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 [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] and Standard.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 threat]]s from angry Anderlecht and [[Poland national football team|Poland]] fans.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The initial ban until 23 November by the [[Royal Belgian Football Association|Belgian Football Association]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> was later reduced on appeal to eight matches.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Benfica===
Witsel signed for Portuguese club [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] on a five-year deal on 13 July 2011, including a €40 million buyout clause.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Witsel scored twice in the 3–1 win against [[FC Twente]], in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League play-off second leg]], on 24 August 2011, sending Benfica to the group stages with a 5–3 aggregate victory.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:Axel Witsel.jpg|thumb|left|Witsel playing for [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] against Zenit in 2012]]
He scored the opening goal in a 4–1 thrashing of [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória de Guimarães]] in the [[2011–12 Taça da Liga|Taça da Liga]] on 9 January 2012.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He then assisted [[Nolito]] in a 4–1 league defeat of [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória de Setúbal]]. Witsel scored his fourth goal against [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]] on 18 January in a Taça da Liga match.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Benfica reached the final on 14 April against [[Gil Vicente F.C.|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Zenit Saint Petersburg===
On 3 September 2012, Witsel signed for [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] for €40 million, after signing a five-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fc-zenit.ru/main/news/60736.html|title=Официальный сайт ФК "Зенит"|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR41312.pdf |title=Comunicado |language=pt |trans-title=Announcement |date=3 September 2012 |publisher=[[Portuguese Securities Market Commission|CMVM]] |access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref> Witsel made his debut in the [[2012–13 Russian Premier League|Russian Premier League]] on 14 September, replacing [[Konstantin Zyryanov]] in the 70th minute as Zenit fell 2–0 to [[FC Terek Grozny|Terek Grozny]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored his first two goals for the club on 30 November when Zenit brushed aside [[FC Spartak Moscow|Spartak Moscow]] 4–2 at the [[Luzhniki Stadium]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In Zenit's first match of the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League group stage#Group C|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> After finishing third in their Champions League group, Zenit were parachuted into the [[2014-15 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] knockout phase; in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash against [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] on 12 March 2015, Witsel scored on a rebound as Zenit defeated the Italian club 2–0.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> On 26 April, Witsel scored the game's only goal in the seventeenth minute as Zenit defeated [[FC Arsenal Tula|Arsenal Tula]] in a league match at the [[Petrovsky Stadium]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 [[2014–15 Russian Premier League|Premier League]] crown, the club's fourth overall and Witsel's first with Zenit.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:Dundolk-Zenit (21).jpg|thumb|left|Witsel playing for [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===Tianjin Quanjian===
On 3 January 2017, Zenit officially announced that Witsel has moved to Chinese club [[Tianjin Quanjian F.C.|Tianjin Quanjian]].<ref name="toChina">{{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}}</ref> A few months later, on 4 March, Witsel made his debut for Quanjian in a 2–0 loss to [[Guangzhou R&F F.C.|Guangzhou R&F]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Shanghai Greenland Shenhua]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Borussia Dortmund===
[[File:Alex Witsel 2021.jpg|thumb|Witsel playing for [[Borussia Dortmund]] 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> On 21 August, he scored an equalizing goal in the [[Association football#Duration and tie-breaking methods|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 [[2018–19 DFB-Pokal|DFB-Pokal]] first round match and later his side went on to win the match in the [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] with a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Under manager [[Diego Simeone]], Witsel began to play as a defender in the middle of a back three in the [[Formation (association football)#5–3–2|5–3–2]] formation.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> On 12 November 2023, he scored his first [[La Liga]] goal in a 3–1 victory over [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-mena/football/la-liga/articles-video/atletico-madrid-3-villarreal-1-highlights-2023-11-13?WT.mc |title=Atletico Madrid 3 Villarreal 1 - Highlights |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=13 November 2023 }}</ref>

On 13 June 2024, he extended his contract until 2025.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> He participated in the [[2025 FIFA Club World Cup]], scoring in a 3–1 group stage win against [[Seattle Sounders FC|Seattle Sounders]], before departing the club upon the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-asia/football/primera-divisin/articles/witsel-follows-reinildo-and-azpilicueta-through-atletico-exit-door-2025-06-30 |title=Witsel follows Reinildo and Azpilicueta through Atletico exit door |publisher=beIN SPORTS |date=30 June 2025 }}</ref>

==International career==
Prior to making his international debut for the senior side, Witsel played for the [[Belgium national under-21 football team|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 national football team|Belgium]] during a friendly game against [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]]. The match resulted in a 1–4 loss, but Witsel scored his first goal.<ref name = "First int'l 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}}</ref>

[[File:Axel Witsel Belgium.jpg|thumb|left|Witsel lining up for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] before playing [[Austria national football team|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 national football team|Austria]] in [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group A|Group A]] of the [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]] process, and his second would come in the second half.<ref name="Goals vs Austria" /> However, Belgian hopes of qualifying for [[UEFA Euro 2012]] were dashed on 11 October 2011, by defeat to [[Germany national football team|Germany]] coupled with [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]]'s victory over [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{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/}}</ref>

On 13 May 2014, Witsel was named in [[2014 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|Belgium's squad]] for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He started in midfield in the team's first game of the tournament, a 2–1 win against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] in [[Belo Horizonte]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Witsel also featured in the [[UEFA Euro 2016 squads#Belgium|Belgian squad]] at [[UEFA Euro 2016]], announced on 31 May 2016.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored his first tournament goal during the Championships, in a [[UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|Group E]] match against the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]].<ref name = "Euro 2016 goal">{{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}}</ref>

[[File:Axel Witsel 2018.jpg|thumb|right|Axel Witsel playing for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] during the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]]]
He scored twice in [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]], both in wide victories over [[Gibraltar national football team|Gibraltar]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Manager [[Roberto Martínez]] named him in the squad for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|final tournament]] in Russia.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Witsel was part of the Belgian squad for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 12 May 2023, Witsel announced his retirement from the national team on [[Instagram]], having made 130 appearances for Belgium.<ref>{{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}}</ref> However, Witsel would later reverse his decision and on 28 May 2024, he was included in Belgium's squad for [[UEFA Euro 2024]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Witsel has three children.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> He is of [[Martinique|Martiniquais]] descent through his father.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> He was a boyhood [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] fan.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played 19 June 2025}}<ref name="honours" />

{| 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 (football)|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]]
|[[2006–07 Standard Liège season|2006–07]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Belgian Pro League]]
|16||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=UC|Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||17||2
|-
|[[2007–08 Standard Liège season|2007–08]]
|33||7||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=UC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||36||8
|-
|[[2008–09 Standard Liège season|2008–09]]
|35||8||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10{{efn|Two appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Cup}}||1||1{{efn|name=PLS|Appearance in [[Belgian Super Cup]]}}||0||46||9
|-
|[[2009–10 Standard Liège season|2009–10]]
|27||6||1||1||colspan="2"|—||12{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and three goals in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||3||1{{efn|name=PLS}}||1||41||11
|-
|[[2010–11 Standard Liège season|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|[[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|[[2011–12 S.L. Benfica season|2011–12]]
|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 S.L. Benfica season|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"|[[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]]
|[[2012–13 FC Zenit Saint Petersburg season|2012–13]]
|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 FC Zenit Saint Petersburg season|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 FC Zenit Saint Petersburg season|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 FC Zenit Saint Petersburg season|2015–16]]
|29||3||4||2||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=RSC}}||0||41||6
|-
|[[2016–17 FC Zenit Saint Petersburg season|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 F.C.|Tianjin Quanjian]]
|[[2017 Chinese Super League|2017]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Chinese Super League]]
|27||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||4
|-
|[[2018 Chinese Super League|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]]
|[[2018–19 Borussia Dortmund season|2018–19]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Bundesliga]]
|33||4||3||1||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||43||6
|-
|[[2019–20 Borussia Dortmund season|2019–20]]
|28||4||3||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=DFL}}||0||39||4
|-
|[[2020–21 Borussia Dortmund season|2020–21]]
|15||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||0||0||22||1
|-
|[[2021–22 Borussia Dortmund season|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]]
|[[2022–23 Atlético Madrid season|2022–23]]
|rowspan="3"|[[La Liga]]
|33||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||43||0
|-
|[[2023–24 Atlético Madrid season|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 Atlético Madrid season|2024–25]]
|14||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||1||22||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!82!!2!!12!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!20!!0!!2!!1!!116!!3
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!524!!67!!44!!7!!4!!2!!141!!13!!8!!2!!722!!91
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
[[File:2017 RUS v BEL exhibition - Axel Witsel.jpg|thumb|upright|Witsel warming up on international duty, 2017]]
{{updated|match played 8 June 2024}}<ref name="Belgium profile"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="17"|[[Belgium national football team|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.''<ref name="Belgium profile">{{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}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
!scope=col|No.
!scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date
!scope=col|Venue
!scope=col|Cap
!scope=col|Opponent
!scope=col|Score
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Competition
!scope=col class=unsortable|Ref.
|-
!scope=row|1
|26 March 2008||[[King Baudouin Stadium]], [[Brussels]], Belgium||align=center|1||{{fb|MAR}}||align=center|1–2|| align="center" |1–4||[[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]||<ref name="First int'l goal" />
|-
!scope=row|2
|17 November 2009||[[Stade Louis Dugauguez]], [[Sedan, Ardennes|Sedan]], France||align=center|10||{{fb|QAT}}||align=center|1–0|| align="center" |2–0
|Friendly||<ref>{{cite news |title=Victoire des Diables face au Qatar (0–2) |url=http://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/diablesrouges/victoire-des-diables-face-au-qatar-0-2-51b7a60fe4b0de6db985c1fd |work=La Dernière Heure |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=4 December 2014 |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|3
|9 February 2011||[[Jules Ottenstadion]], [[Ghent]], Belgium||align=center|16||{{fb|FIN}}||align=center|1–0|| align="center" |1–1
|Friendly||<ref>{{cite news |first=Christophe |last=Da Silva |title=Rode Duivels gooien verdiende winst weer weg in blessuretijd |url=http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/949/Belgisch-Voetbal/article/detail/1220329/2011/02/09/Rode-Duivels-gooien-verdiende-winst-weer-weg-in-blessuretijd.dhtml |work=Het Laatste Nieuws |date=9 February 2011 |access-date=4 December 2014 |language=nl}}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|4
|rowspan=2|25 March 2011||rowspan=2|[[Ernst-Happel-Stadion]], [[Vienna]], Austria||rowspan=2 align=center|17||rowspan=2|{{fb|AUT}}||align=center|1–0|| rowspan="2" align="center" |2–0||rowspan=2|[[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group A|UEFA Euro 2012 qualification]]||rowspan=2|<ref name = "Goals vs Austria">{{cite news |title=Witsel bezorgt Rode Duivels zege van de hoop |url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/Rode_Duivels/1.989145 |work=Sporza |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=4 December 2014 |language=nl |archive-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902004506/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/Rode_Duivels/1.989145 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|5
|align=center|2–0
|-
!scope=row|6
|4 September 2014||[[Stade Maurice Dufrasne]], [[Liège]], Belgium||align=center|52||{{fb|AUS}}||align=center|2–0|| align="center" |2–0||Friendly||<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Lynch |title=Socceroos easily beaten by Belgium in friendly |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-easily-beaten-by-belgium-in-friendly-20140904-10cqco.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|7
|18 June 2016||[[Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux]], [[Bordeaux]], France||align=center|69||{{fb|IRL}}||align=center|2–0|| align="center" |3–0||[[UEFA Euro 2016 Group E|UEFA Euro 2016]]||<ref name="Euro 2016 goal" />
|-
!scope=row|8
|10 October 2016||[[Estádio Algarve]], [[Faro, Portugal|Faro]]/[[Loulé]], Portugal||align=center|76||{{fb|GIB}}||align=center|2–0|| align="center" |6–0||[[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group H|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Christian Benteke historic goal, hat trick help Belgium beat Gibraltar |url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?gameId=457281 |website=ESPN FC |publisher=Entertainment and Sports Programming Network |date=10 October 2016 |access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|9
|31 August 2017||[[Stade Maurice Dufrasne]], [[Liège]], Belgium||align=center|81
|{{fb|GIB}}|| align="center" |3–0|| align="center" |9–0
|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
!scope=row|10
|8 September 2020||[[King Baudouin Stadium]], [[Brussels]], Belgium||align=center|107||{{fb|ISL}}||align=center|1–1|| align="center" |5–1||[[2020–21 UEFA Nations League A]]||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0261-1053f8e89350-ea910c77de73-1000--belgium-5-1-iceland-hosts-survive-scare-to-earn-second-win/ |title=Belgium 5-1 Iceland: Hosts survive scare to earn second win |website=UEFA |date=8 September 2020 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|11
|2 September 2021||[[Lilleküla Stadium]], [[Tallinn]], Estonia||align=center|115||{{fb|EST}}||align=center|4–1|| align="center" |5–2||[[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group E|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2030856/ |title=Estonia 2-5 Belgium |website=UEFA |date=2 September 2021 }}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|12
|8 June 2022||[[King Baudouin Stadium]], [[Brussels]], Belgium||align=center|122||{{fb|POL}}||align=center|1–1|| align="center" |6–1||[[2022–23 UEFA Nations League A]]||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0276-155763c455df-75100d3bd738-1000--report-red-devils-hit-six/ |title=Belgium 6-1 Poland: Red Devils turn on the style |website=UEFA |date=8 June 2022 }}</ref>
|}

==Honours==
'''Standard Liège'''<ref name="honours">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/axel-witzel/13531/|title=A. Witsel|access-date=17 March 2015|publisher=Soccerway}}</ref>
* [[Belgian Pro League]]: [[2007–08 Belgian First Division|2007–08]], [[2008–09 Belgian First Division|2008–09]]
* [[Belgian Cup]]: [[2010–11 Belgian Cup|2010–11]]
* [[Belgian Supercup]]: [[2008 Belgian Super Cup|2008]], [[2009 Belgian Super Cup|2009]]

'''Benfica'''
* [[Taça da Liga]]: [[2011–12 Taça da Liga|2011–12]]<ref name="honours"/>

'''Zenit'''
* [[Russian Football Premier League]]: [[2014–15 Russian Premier League|2014–15]]
* [[Russian Cup (football)|Russian Cup]]: [[2015–16 Russian Cup|2015–16]]
* [[Russian Super Cup]]: [[2015 Russian Super Cup|2015]]<ref name="honours"/>

'''Borussia Dortmund'''
* [[DFB-Pokal]]: [[2020–21 DFB-Pokal|2020–21]]
* [[DFL-Supercup]]: [[2019 DFL-Supercup|2019]]<ref name="MOTM">{{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}}</ref>

'''Belgium'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]] [[2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Third place play-off|third place]]: [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[Belgian professional football awards|Belgian Young Footballer of the Year]]: [[2007–08 Belgian First Division|2007–08]]
* [[Belgian Golden Shoe]]: 2008<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* [[O Jogo|O Jogo Team of the Year]]: 2012
* [[La Dernière Heure|DH]] The Best Standard Liège Team Ever: 2020<ref name="eurosport3722">{{cite web |date=18 May 2020 |title=Voici votre onze de légende du Standard: Gerets et Witsel les plus plébiscités |url=https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/division-1a/standard/2020/05/18/voici-votre-onze-de-legende-du-standard-gerets-et-witsel-les-plus-plebiscites-3AILWEFFRJBIJHOWUVPVT6YRKA/#.XsJnW3i-1IY.twitter |website=dhnet.be |publisher=[[La Dernière Heure]]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Association football|Belgium|Biography}}
*[[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==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:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[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:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:La Liga 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]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]