Axel Witsel Announces His Retirement From the Belgian National Team

One of Belgium's most consistent figures announced their retirement from the national team

Witsel retires from Belgium

The Belgian footballer Axel Witsel, 37, and former player for Girona and Atlético de Madrid, announced this Wednesday his retirement from the Belgian national team after wearing the 'Red Devils' jersey for 18 years, as the current Nice player in France announced on his social media.

"This time, it's the right one. I have made the decision to end my international career. The time has come to make way for the young and the new generation. It has been an immense pride to have given my all during these 18 years. I never imagined achieving so much when I started, at just 18 years old," Witsel said on his profile on the social network X.

Witsel has played a total of 140 matches with his national team, participating in three European Championships and four World Cups, with a tally of 12 goals since his debut in 2008.

The footballer thanked the fans, as well as all his teammates, coaches "and everyone within the federation who has contributed, closely or remotely" to his development as an athlete during the nearly two decades he has been linked to the Belgian national team.

His last match was played in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup against the Spanish National Team. EFE