Axel Witsel confirms permanent international retirement after World Cup exit

Axel Witsel has confirmed the permanent end of his international career with the Belgium national team, pointing to an emotional exit following the team’s World Cup quarterfinal elimination against Spain. After accumulating 140 selections for the Red Devils, the 37-year-old midfielder revealed that he is completely at peace with his decision and has transitioned his club focus to OGC Nice in Ligue 1.

The definitive retirement follows a turbulent international timeline that included an initial farewell in May 2023, a brief return for the European Championship in May 2024 where physical issues kept him off the pitch, and a final campaign culminating in the 2026 World Cup, as reported by Walfoot.be.

Tears in the Arms of Romelu Lukaku After Spain Defeat

Witsel’s final chapter with the national team ended on the pitch during Belgium’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals. Following a discussion with newly appointed head coach Mark van Bommel, Witsel recognized that the squad needed to make way for younger generations.

Reflecting on those final moments in the tournament, Witsel described a raw and emotional exchange on the pitch. “At the World Cup, I broke down in tears in the arms of Romelu Lukaku after the match against Spain (1-2, in the quarterfinals). I knew it was over,” Witsel told L’Équipe, as detailed by DHnet and Walfoot.be. “When I watched the subsequent matches, it didn’t itch at all. I am at peace with myself.”

Witsel Admired France and Zidane as a Child

Despite his 140 caps for Belgium, Witsel admitted that his earliest footballing allegiance leaned toward France.

The lingering childhood admiration surfaced recently when Belgium faced France. “When I was little, I watched France matches more than Belgium’s,” Witsel explained to L’Équipe, noting that the presence of his idols shaped his early perspective. “It felt weird not playing against France on Monday with Belgium; I would have loved to cross paths with Zidane. He was my idol!”

Stepping Into the Captaincy at OGC Nice

With international football firmly behind him, Witsel has embraced a fresh professional challenge in the French top flight with OGC Nice. Upon arriving at his new club, manager Olivier Pantaloni immediately designated him as team captain.

“When I walked into the dressing room, I saw my jersey with the captain’s armband next to it. I asked myself, ‘Is this for me or not?’ Afterwards, the coach spoke in front of the group to say I was going to be the captain. I said no problem,” Witsel recounted to the press. The veteran midfielder has quickly integrated into the Ligue 1 side while keeping a pragmatic timeline on his overall playing career, noting he intends to evaluate his future in two years.

Reflecting on a Well-Traveled Club Career

Looking back across his extensive club trajectory, Witsel discussed the transfers that defined his career. While he could have remained at Benfica for five years, Zenit Saint-Petersburg activated his release clause after just a single season in Portugal.

A subsequent move to the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Quanjian followed a collapsed transfer to Juventus. “Originally, six months earlier, I was supposed to go to Juventus. I only had to sign the contract, but Zenit held onto me for lack of a replacement. Juve came back later, but Tianjin was there too, and I cracked, I went to China. Let’s not kid ourselves, it was impossible to refuse in terms of the contract,” Witsel admitted.

Yet, amidst spells in Russia, China, and France, his roots at Standard de Liège remain paramount. Witsel places his first league title won at Sclessin on the exact same emotional pedestal as Belgium’s historic third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.