Witsel ends 18-year Belgium international career

Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel has retired from international football after an 18-year career with Belgium, bringing an end to his run as the country’s second-most capped player.

The 37-year-old announced his decision on Wednesday, weeks after making his 140th and final appearance for Belgium in their 2-1 defeat by eventual champions Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals in July.

“It’s time to make way for the youngsters and the new generation,” Witsel said in a social media post.

“I never imagined achieving so much when I started out at just 18 years old.”

Witsel made his Belgium debut in 2008 and became an important figure in the national team’s so-called golden generation, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.

The generation came close to winning a major international trophy at the 2018 World Cup, where Belgium reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions France.

With 140 appearances, Witsel ranks second on Belgium’s all-time list of international appearances, behind his long-time teammate Jan Vertonghen, who has 157 caps.

At club level, Witsel has played for Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. He joined French Ligue 1 side Nice from Girona in the close season.