Axel Witsel
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel | ||
| Date of birth | 12 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Liège, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
|
Current team
|
Tianjin Quanjian | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2006 | Standard Liège | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2011 | Standard Liège | 148 | (34) |
| 2011–2012 | Benfica | 32 | (1) |
| 2012–2017 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 121 | (16) |
| 2017– | Tianjin Quanjian | 1 | (0) |
| 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 | 78 | (8) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 December 2016. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2016 |
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Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel (born 12 January 1989) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. During his play for the Belgium national team, he came into the first team as a right-winger, and can also play attacking midfielder, though his natural position is as a central midfielder.
He made his senior international debut in 2008 and has earned over 70 caps for Belgium, representing the country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
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 Defour and Marouane Fellaini. In the following season, he scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in a two-legged playoff to decide the championship.
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. 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. The initial ban until 23 November by the Belgian Football Association, was later reduced on appeal to eight matches.
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