Witsel retires from internationals after 18-year Belgium career

Veteran Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, concluding an illustrious 18-year career that saw him become the nation's second-most capped player. In a poignant social media post, the 37-year-old reflected on his time with the national team, stating, "It's time to make way for the youngsters and the new generation."

Witsel marked his final appearance for Belgium in a 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain in July. He expressed gratitude for his achievements, acknowledging he "never imagined achieving so much when I started out at just 18 years old." His journey began in 2008, and he quickly became a pivotal figure in Belgium's "golden generation," alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard.

Despite their best efforts, the team never managed to clinch a major tournament, reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup at the closest point.

Witsel's remarkable career saw him surpass the previous record of 157 caps held by longtime teammate Jan Vertonghen. Following his retirement, Witsel has joined Ligue 1 club Nice from Girona, following a career that took him from Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.