Axel Witsel Hangs Up International Boots After Stellar 18-Year Belgium Run

Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel has officially announced his departure from international football, marking the end of an illustrious 18-year career with the Belgium national team. The 37-year-old player concluded his international journey as the nation's second-most capped footballer, having represented his country 140 times.

Witsel's final appearance for the Red Devils came in July, during their 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain. Reflecting on his decision, Witsel shared on social media, "It’s time to make way for the youngsters and the new generation. I never imagined achieving so much when I started out at just 18 years old."

His debut for Belgium dates back to 2008, where he quickly established himself as a pivotal figure within Belgium’s much-heralded ‘golden generation’. This era also featured other prominent talents like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard. Despite their formidable lineup, the team was never able to clinch a major international trophy, with their closest attempt being a semi-final loss to France at the 2018 World Cup.

Only his long-standing teammate, Jan Vertonghen, holds more international caps for Belgium, with a record of 157 appearances. In his club career, Witsel recently moved to Ligue 1 side Nice from Girona during the close-season, following previous stints with top European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.