Official! Belgium national team legend has retired from international football

One of the longest chapters in the history of the Belgium national team has officially come to an end.

Details: Experienced midfielder Axel Witsel has retired from international football at the age of 37. The veteran spent more than 18 years with Belgium's senior national team and finishes his international career with 140 appearances.

• Also read: Viktoria Plzeň vs Union SG: Clash of Dynamic Attacks at Doosan Arena – September 17, 2026

Witsel made his senior Belgium debut on March 26, 2008, in a friendly against Morocco. It proved to be an unforgettable first appearance for the midfielder, who immediately scored his first international goal despite Belgium suffering a 4-1 defeat.

Over the following years, Witsel became one of the most experienced members of the Red Devils and was part of the celebrated Belgian generation that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. His 140th and final appearance came against Spain on July 10, 2026.

It is worth noting that Witsel scored 12 goals in his 140 appearances for Belgium. At club level, he currently represents Nice, whom he joined as a free agent in August 2026 on a one-season contract with an option for another year.

Reminder: Bernard Nguene extends his contract with Standard Liège until 2029