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Axel Thomas WitselBelgian footballer, central midfielder of Zenit and the Belgian national team
Date of Birth: 12.01.1989
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Axel Thomas Witsel: Biography
- Early Career
- Professional Success
- International Career
- Club Transfers
- Achievements
- Personal Life
Axel Thomas Witsel: Biography
Axel Thomas Witsel is a Belgian footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Zenit Saint Petersburg and the Belgian national team. He was born on January 12, 1989, in Liège, Belgium.
Early Career
Witsel began his football journey at the youth academy of Standard Liège. He made his debut for the club on September 17, 2006, replacing Steven Defour in the 89th minute. In the 2007/08 season, he established himself as a key player for Standard Liège, forming a formidable midfield trio with Defour and Marouane Fellaini. Witsel's outstanding performances earned him the Young Player of the Year and the Golden Shoe awards.
Professional Success
In the following season, Witsel's penalty goal helped Standard Liège clinch the Belgian league title. However, on August 30, 2009, during a match against Anderlecht, Witsel inflicted a dangerous injury on Marcin Wasilewski, resulting in a broken leg for the Polish player. As a consequence, Witsel was immediately sent off and faced an indefinite suspension. He also received threats from Anderlecht fans and Polish teams. After a thorough investigation by the Royal Belgian Football Association, his suspension was reduced to 8 games.
International Career
Witsel represented the Belgian national team at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2006. He also participated in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2007, where his team secured a place in the Beijing Olympics. On March 26, 2008, Witsel made his debut for the senior national team and scored a goal in a match against Morocco.
Club Transfers
On July 13, 2011, Witsel signed a contract with Benfica. After a successful stint in Portugal, he joined Zenit Saint Petersburg on September 3, 2012. He made his debut for the Russian club on September 14, 2012, in a match against Terek Grozny.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Witsel has achieved several accolades. He won the Belgian league title twice with Standard Liège in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons. He also lifted the Belgian Cup in 2010/11 and won the Belgian Super Cup in 2008 and 2009. During his time at Benfica, Witsel secured the Portuguese League Cup in the 2011/12 season. Additionally, he was named the Belgian Footballer of the Year in 2008 and the Young Player of the Year in 2007/2008.
