Witsel announces international retirement after 18 years with Belgium

Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, aged 37, has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an 18-year career with the Belgium national team, during which he earned 140 caps.

Axel Witsel wrote on his Instagram account: "This time it's final. I have decided to end my international career. It's time to make way for young players and the new generation."

Axel Witsel announced his international retirement for the first time after the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, before later returning to the Belgium national team, where his role shifted more towards assisting young players and passing on his experiences to them.

Axel Witsel participated with Belgium in the recent FIFA World Cup, coming on as a substitute during the matches against the United States and Spain, but he will not be among coach Mark van Bommel's options for the upcoming challenges.

Axel Witsel departs the Belgium national team after a long international career that began when he was eighteen years old, becoming one of the most capped players in the shirt of the 'Red Devils'.