 Witsel playing for Belgium in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Axel Thomas Witsel | ||
| Date of birth | 12 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Liège, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Zenit St. Petersburg | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2006 | Standard Liège | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2011 | Standard Liège | 148 | (34) |
| 2011–2012 | Benfica | 32 | (1) |
| 2012– | Zenit St. Petersburg | 37 | (6) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004 | Belgium U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2005 | Belgium U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | Belgium U17 | 19 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Belgium U18 | 5 | (0) |
| 2006 | Belgium U19 | 3 | (0) |
| 2007–2009 | Belgium U21 | 10 | (0) |
| 2008– | Belgium | 45 | (5) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 December 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 September 2013 | |||
Axel Thomas Witsel (born 12 January 1989) is a Belgian footballer who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Russian Premier League and the Belgium national team.[2] His natural position is centre midfield and can also play attacking midfielder, but he came into the first team as a right-winger. His father has roots in Martinique (French Caribbean) and is a former football player, and his mother is Belgian.
Club career
Standard Liege
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.
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 Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour. In the following season, he scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in a two-legged playoff to decide the Championship. He is usually known for his excellent technique and passes.
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.[3][4] 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.[5] The initial ban until 23 November by the Belgian Football Association,[6] was later reduced on appeal to eight matches.[7]
Benfica
Witsel signed for Portuguese giants Benfica on a five-year deal on 13 July 2011, including a €40 million buyout clause.[8] 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.[9]
.
He scored the opening goal in a 4–1 thrashing of Vitória de Guimarães in the Taça da Liga on 9 January 2012.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]
Zenit St Petersburg
On 3 September 2012, Witsel signed for Zenit Saint Petersburg for €40 million (£32.5 million), after signing a five-year contract.[13][14] 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.[15] He scored his first two goals for the club on 30 November when Zenit brushed aside Spartak Moscow 4–2 at the Luzhniki Stadium.[16] 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.[17]
International career
Prior to making his international debut for the senior side, he 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 Football Championship.
On 26 March 2008, Witsel made his international debut during a friendly game against Morocco. The match resulted in a 1–4 loss, but Witsel scored his first goal for Belgium.