Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel professionally known as Axel Witsel is a Belgian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga club (German Football League) Borussia Dortmund.
Further, Witsel also represents the Belgium national team. Additionally, his preferred role as a central midfielder. However, Axel can also play as an attacking midfielder and right-winger.
Axel is a versatile player who can play both offense and defense. He is physically suited to both holding the ball and running at defenders. He’s strong and athletic, allowing advanced players to work on opening space.
Image Source: Instagram
Furthermore, this Belgian player is widely and rightly recognized as a complete midfielder. Aside from the two previously mentioned aspects of his game, it is his ability to recognize the game that stands out.
Witsel seniority is unquestionably due to his age. However, his global club experience and international appearances (101 caps) have given him a well-rounded and cultured perspective.
As good as his passing in the transition is, he’s been a crucial element of Dortmund’s defense.
Axel Witsel Biography
| Full Name | Axel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel |
| Nickname | La chaloupe |
| Occupation | Professional Footballer |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Jersey Number | 28 and 6 |
| Date of Birth | 12th January, 1989 |
| Birthplace | Liege, Belgium |
| Age | 33 (as in 2022) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Father’s Name | Thierry Witsel |
| Mother’s Name | Sylvie Witsel |
| Siblings | 1 Sister: Whitney Witsel |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Rafaella Szabo Witsel (2015 – Present) |
| Children | Daughter: Mai-Li Witsel, Evy Witsel
Son: 1 (Name is unknown) |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Not Available |
| College/University | Not Available |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch or 1.86 m |
| Weight | 81 kg or 179 lbs. |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Measurement | Chest – 41 Inches
Waist – 32 Inches Biceps – 12 Inches |
| Shoe Size | US 12 |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Net Worth | 30 million euros (26 million pounds) |
| Social Media Presence | Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook |
| Last Updated | June 2022 |
Early Life
The Belgian midfielder, Witsel was born on 12th January, 1989 in Liege, Belgium. Currently, he is 33 years old.
Witsel came from a mixed-race family with a loving background. His mother, Sylvie Witsel is Belgian white while his father, Thierry Witsel is from the French Caribbean Island of Martinique.
The Belgian midfielder grew up with his only sister, Whitney Witsel. As a young boy, he grew up with a football at his feet. Witsel discovered that he only loves football, and it became his hobby.
Later, when Thierry and Sylvie noticed his son’s seriousness regarding football, they pushed and motivated him to pursue his career in football.
Witsel Height, Weight, Nationality, Ethnicity, and Zodiac Sign
This Belgian midfielder has an outstanding body figure. Speaking of which, he stands with an observable height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m)tall, and weighs around 81 kg or 179 lbs.
Furthermore, with a body measurement of 41-33-12 inches, Witsel has an athletic physical body.
Source: Instagram
Besides that, Witsel’s zodiac sign is Capricorn, which means he is Ambitious, hardworking, and enterprising is one side of the sign. The Capricorn natives are extremely driven, enthusiastic about life, and capable of setting lofty but attainable objectives.
Additionally, Witsel carries Belgian nationality. However, his father’s gene makes him the part of Belgian black ethnicity.
Youth Academy Club
Axel began playing football at an early age. In 1995, he decided to join RRC Vottem youth academy and remained with the academy till 1997. Afterward, the Belgian midfielder joined CS Vise in 1997 and remained with the club until 1999.
Axel kept on improving his game through practice and willpower. Further, in 1999, Standard Liege scouts started to notice his incredible football skills.
As a result, Axel joined his hometown club, standard liege in 1999. It was a meteoric rise in his growth after joining the club. He spent around seven years in the B team before being promoted to the senior team in 2006.
Professional Club Career
Standard Liege
In 2006, Axel kicked off his senior club career with Standard Liege. However, on 17th September, 2006, a 17-year-old Witsel made his first appearance with Standard Liège during a challenging match against FC Brussels.
Besides that, when Standard Liege won the Belgian league title during the 2007/08 season, Witsel was a key member of the team.
Furthermore, in the 2008/09 season standard liege won their tenth league title in a playoff victory against Anderlecht. Witsel managed to score a winning goal during a penalty and helped the club to win the league.
On 30 August 2009, Witsel sparked controversy when he broke Marcin Wasilewski’s leg by stamping on his ankle during the match against Anderlecht.
As a result, he was given a red card by a referee and got banned to play football by Belgium Football Association until 23rd November. Later, the initial ban was reduced on appeal to eight matches.
Benfica
On 13th July, 2011, Witsel agreed to a contract with Portuguese club Benfica on a five-year deal. This agreement also included a buyout clause of 40 million euros.
Besides that, on 24th August, 2011, the Belgian scored a brace in a 3-1 convincing victory over FC Twente in the second leg of the Champions League play-off and sent Benfica towards the group stages with a victory.
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Furthermore, on 9th January, 2012, Axel went on to score the early goal in a 4-1 victory against Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Taca da Liga. Witsel also scored his fourth goal in a match against Santa Clara.
As a result, Benfica made it to the finals against Gill Vicente on the 14th of April and won their fourth Taca da Liga title with a 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, Witsel was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Zenit Saint Petersburg
On 3rd September 2012, Witsel came to an agreement on a five-year deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg on a reported fee of 40 million euros.
However, the Belgian midfielder made his Russian Premier League debut on 14th September, but his team was defeated by Terek Grozny.
Despite these challenges, he managed to score his first two goals for Zenit on November 30 in a 4-2 win over Spartak Moscow.
Witsel, who joined Zenit in 2012, managed to score 22 goals in 180 games for the club, assisting them to win the Russian league, the Russian Cup, and the Russian Super Cup.
Tianjin Quanjian
The Belgian player, Witsel agreed to join the Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian for an estimated fee of 50 million euros on 3rd January, 2017.
However, Axel made his Quanjian first appearance in a 2-0 loss to Guangzhou R&F.
A week later, in a 1-1 draw with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, he managed to score his first goal for the club in the Chinese Super League.
Overall, in his 36 appearances for the club, he managed to score five goals.
Borussia Dortmund
On 6th August, 2018, Witsel decided to sign a four-year contract with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund for an estimated fee of $23 million.
On 21 August, Witsel, in his debut for the club, scored the most important last-minute equalizer that saved Dortmund from an embarrassing defeat against Greuther Furth in the German Cup.
Furthermore, Witsel scored his first Bundesliga goal for the club with an overhead kick in a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on August 26. The Belgian player swiveled his body and wrecked back an acrobatic bicycle kick.
Overall, in Witsel’s 105 appearances for the club, he managed to score 10 goals. Further, the Belgian midfielder also helped the team to win DFB-Pokal (2020/21) and DFL-Super cup 2019
International Career
Axel has played for Belgium national team in every age group from under-15 to under-21.
Prior to making his international debut for the senior side, he played for the under-21. After a long journey in a junior team, he made his senior international debut against Morocco in a friendly match. Axel also managed to score his first international during the match on 26th March, 2008.
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Eventually, Axel was appointed to Belgium’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he began in midfield in the team’s opening match, a 2-1 victory over Algeria in Belo Horizonte.
Further, the Belgian midfielder was also named to the Belgian squad for UEFA Euro 2016, which was announced on 31st May, 2016. During the Tournaments, Axel went on to score his first tournament goal against the Republic of Ireland in Group E.
Is Axel Witsel Married? Does he have Children?
Currently, Witsel is a married guy and does have 3 children. Witsel previously had a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, model, and Instagram star Analicia Chaves. The couple dated until 2013.
Alex Witsel then began a romantic relationship with his lovely girlfriend, Rafaella Szabo Witsel. She was also Witsel’s childhood crush. However, after dating for a few months, the couple tied the knot in June 2015.
Source: Instagram
Additionally, the couple is currently privileged with three wonderful children, Mai Li Witsel, Evy Witsel, and a son, whose name is unknown.
Because the couple is well-known on social media, we can see numerous photos of their marriage and kids on Instagram. The couple is frequently seen on vacation in various locations.
FIFA 22 Stats
Witsel has a FIFA 22 overall rating of 80. His potential rating is also 80, and his position on the field is CM (Centre-Midfield). However, Witsel received a 4-star rating for skill moves and a 4-star rating for the weak foot. His stats are:
Pace: 61
Shooting: 71
Passing: 81
Dribbling: 79
Défense: 82
Physical: 79
What is the Net Worth of Axel Witsel?
In August 2018, the midfield player reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund on a contract worth 8 million euros (6.8 million pounds) per year.
His net worth is estimated to be 30 million euros (26 million pounds). However, the Belgian striker has a market value of 32 million euros (27.4 million pounds).
This equates to a daily wage of 21,917.81 euros (18,630.13 pounds) and an hourly wage of 913.24 euros (776.26 pounds).
Social Media Presence
Instagram: 1.4m followers
Facebook: 2.2m followers
Twitter: 641k followers
Major Achievements
Standard Liege: Belgian Pro League (2007/08) and (2008/09), Belgian Cup (2010/11), Belgian Super cup 2008 and 2009
Benfica: Taca da Liga (2011/12)
Zenit: Russian Football Premier League (2014/15), Russian Cup (2015/16), Russian Super Cup 2015
Borussia Dortmund: DFB-Pokal (2020/21) and DFL-Super cup (2019)
Individual: Belgian Young Footballer of the Year (2007/08) and Belgian Golden Shoe (2008)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the age of Axel Witsel?
Axel Witsel is 23 years old (as in 2022)
- What is the playing position of Alex Witsel?
Alex plays as a Midfielder
- Is Alex Witsel Married?
Alex Witsel is married, and he does have two daughters and a son.
- What is the name of the current club for which Witsel plays?
Alex currently plays for Borussia Dortmund.
- What is the nationality of Axel Witsel?
Alex Witsel is Belgian.
- What is the nickname of Alex Witsel?
Footballer Alex nick name is La Cha Loupe.
