Axel Witsel is a Belgian professional footballer known for his intelligence on the ball, calm style of play, and versatility as a defensive midfielder and centre-back. As of 2026, he is still active at the top level in European football and remains one of Belgium’s most experienced internationals.
Axel Witsel’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Axel Thomas Witsel |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | 12 January 1989 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Liège, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 1.86 m / 186 cm |
| Weight | 81 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Position | Defensive midfielder / center back |
| Youth Clubs | Standard Liège youth system |
| Senior Clubs | Standard Liège, Benfica, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, Girona |
| Jersey Number | 20 |
| International Debut | 2008 for Belgium |
| Turned Professional | 2006 |
| Net Worth | About £73.9 million |
| Annual Salary | about €2.5 million for 2025–26 at Girona |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Rafaela Szabo |
| Children | Three (Mai-Li, Evy, Aydji) |
| Instagram profile | @axelwitsel28 |
Axel Witsel is a tall, right-footed Belgian midfielder and defender known for his composure, positional sense, and passing range. By 2026 he is 37 years old, married, a father, and playing for Girona FC in Spain’s La Liga while still maintaining a strong presence on social media through his Instagram account @axelwitsel28.
Early Career
Witsel grew up in Liège and joined the youth setup of Standard Liège after time at local side CS Visé, quickly standing out for his technique and maturity in midfield.
He made his professional debut for Standard’s first team in 2006 as a teenager and soon became a key player, helping the club win domestic trophies and earning the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2008, which marked him as one of the brightest young talents in Belgian football.
Professional Career
After establishing himself at Standard Liège, Witsel moved to Benfica in Portugal, then to Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he became a regular in European competitions.
A big-money switch to Tianjin Quanjian in China followed, before he returned to Europe with Borussia Dortmund, winning German trophies and later joining Atlético Madrid on a free transfer and then Girona FC. Across more than 800 career matches and over 90 career goals, he has been valued for his consistency and tactical flexibility.
Wife
Witsel has been married to Rafaella Szabo since 2015, and they have three children. Public social profiles also show the family life is visible online, while older public entertainment profiles mention daughters Mai Li and Evy, but current official-style sources mainly confirm three children rather than naming all of them.
Axel Witsel’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Axel Witsel’s estimated net worth stands at approximately £73.9 million (roughly $92 million USD). based on publicly reported salary and net-worth databases. That figure is an estimate, not an officially confirmed personal disclosure, but it is consistent with a long elite career across top clubs and high-paying contracts.
Contract
Axel Witsel currently plays for Girona FC in La Liga, having joined the club on a free transfer from Atlético Madrid on August 12, 2025. His contract with Girona runs until June 30, 2026, meaning he has a one-year deal with the Catalan club. Prior to joining Girona, Witsel spent three seasons with Atlético Madrid from 2022 to 2025, also arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
During his time at Dortmund from 2018 to 2022, he was transferred for €20 million and became an integral part of their midfield. At 37 years old, Witsel continues to compete at the highest level of Spanish football, demonstrating remarkable longevity and adaptability by successfully transitioning between defensive midfield and center-back positions.
Salary
During the 2025-26 season with Girona, Axel Witsel earns an annual salary of approximately €2.5 million, which breaks down to roughly €48,077 per week. This represents a significant decrease from his previous earnings at Atlético Madrid, where he was making around £7 million (approximately €8.3 million) annually during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, translating to about £135,000 per week.
His highest-earning period came during his time at Borussia Dortmund from 2018 to 2022, where he earned approximately €8 million per year, equivalent to €153,846 per week. The salary reduction at Girona reflects both his age and the smaller financial capacity of Girona compared to clubs like Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, though the Belgian veteran remains a valuable addition to the squad given his extensive experience and tactical versatility.
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary |
| 2025-26 | Girona | €48,077 | €2.5 million |
| 2024-25 | Atlético Madrid | £135,073 | £7 million |
| 2023-24 | Atlético Madrid | £136,437 | £7 million |
| 2022-23 | Atlético Madrid | £134,323 | £6.9 million |
| 2021-22 | Borussia Dortmund | €153,846 | €8 million |
| 2020-21 | Borussia Dortmund | €153,846 | €8 million |
| 2019-20 | Borussia Dortmund | €153,846 | €8 million |
| 2018-19 | Borussia Dortmund | €153,327 | €7.9 million |
| 2017-18 | Tianjin Quanjian | N/A | N/A |
Endorsements
Witsel publicly identifies as a Puma athlete on Instagram, and marketing databases also link him with Puma collaborations. Older public reports additionally name him as a SenseBall ambassador in China, and another 2026 talent page says he has been involved with Action Damien and his own clothing line.
Career Records
| Career record / milestone | Detail |
| Total senior club appearances | 752 matches as of 14 May 2026 |
| Total senior club goals | 92 goals as of 14 May 2026 |
| Belgium appearances | 136 caps as of 31 March 2026 |
| Belgium goals | 12 goals |
| Standard Liège total | 183 appearances and 42 goals |
| 100th Belgium cap | Reached on 15 November 2018 |
| World Cups played | 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| European Championships played | 2016, 2020, 2024 |
| Best major international finish | Third place with Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup |
| Major individual awards | Belgian Young Footballer of the Year 2007-08, Belgian Golden Shoe 2008 |
| Major club honours | 2 Belgian Pro Leagues, 1 Belgian Cup, 2 Belgian Supercups, 1 Taça da Liga, 1 Russian Premier League, 1 Russian Cup, 1 Russian Super Cup, 1 DFB-Pokal, 1 DFL-Supercup |
| 2025-26 Girona official snapshot | 29 matches, 1 goal, 2 assists, 2362 minutes on Girona’s official player page |
FAQs
1. Who is Axel Witsel?
Axel Witsel is a Belgian professional footballer known for his intelligent positional play, passing ability, and calmness on the ball, with a long career at top European clubs and the Belgian national team.
2. What position does Axel Witsel play?
Axel Witsel is primarily a defensive or central midfielder but has also been used as a centre-back in a back three or back four thanks to his tactical intelligence and composure in possession.
3. Which clubs has Axel Witsel played for in his career?
Axel Witsel has played for Standard Liège, Benfica, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, and later Girona, building a reputation across Belgium, Portugal, Russia, China, Germany, and Spain.
4. What is Axel Witsel’s nationality and date of birth?
Axel Witsel is Belgian and was born on 12 January 1989 in Liège, Belgium.
5. What is special about Axel Witsel’s playing style?
Axel Witsel is known for his excellent first touch, press resistance, short and medium-range passing, ability to dictate tempo from deep, and positional discipline that gives balance to his team defensively and in build-up.
6. Has Axel Witsel played for the Belgian national team?
Yes, Axel Witsel has been a long-serving member of the Belgian national team, earning many caps over more than a decade and appearing at major tournaments including the World Cup and European Championship.
7. Did Axel Witsel really play in China and why did he move there?
Yes, Axel Witsel joined Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian in 2017, and he has openly acknowledged that the financial offer was a major factor in his decision, significantly increasing his salary compared to Europe.
8. What major European clubs did Axel Witsel join after leaving China?
After leaving Tianjin Quanjian, Axel Witsel signed for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and later moved to Atlético Madrid in La Liga, where he was also used as a defender before joining Girona.
9. How tall is Axel Witsel and what foot does he prefer?
Axel Witsel is about 1.85–1.86 metres tall and is predominantly right-footed.
10. Is Axel Witsel considered a versatile player?
Yes, Axel Witsel is considered very versatile, having played as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, right midfielder, right winger, right-back, and centre-back at different stages of his career depending on his team’s needs.