33·Legends
‹ Belgium's 33
Axel Witsel
Photo: Кирилл Венедиктов · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Belgium

Axel Witsel

Icon CDM, also CM, CB Right-footed anchorleader
Rating
85
Caps
136
Goals
12
Life
1989
Clubs
Standard Liège, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund
#13
Editorial rank of 33 for Belgium
–
The people's rank, live from duel votes

The composed deep-lying playmaker for Benfica, Zenit, Dortmund, and Atlético, embodied the quiet class of Belgium's 'Golden Generation'. Career record: 136 caps and 12 goals for Belgium; club career at Standard Liège, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund.

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Career record

2006–2011Standard Liège
2011–2012S.L. Benfica
2012–2016FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
2017–2018Tianjin Tianhai
2018–2022Borussia Dortmund
2022–2025Atlético Madrid
2025–todayGirona
Belgium136 caps, 12 goals

The world's great CDMs

Around Witsel in the almanac

One rank above: Franky Vercauteren at #12.

One rank below: Dries Mertens at #14.

Belgium's editorial top five: Kevin De Bruyne · Thibaut Courtois · Eden Hazard · Paul Van Himst · Jean-Marie Pfaff.