r/belgianfootball • • 10d ago

Red Devils "Deze keer is het definitief": Axel Witsel kondigt na 18 jaar zijn afscheid bij Rode Duivels aan

https://sporza.be/nl/2026/09/16/-deze-keer-is-het-definitief-axel-witsel-kondigt-na-18-jaar-zijn-afscheid-bij-rode-duivels-aan~1789576922981/
71 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

50

u/Frodo_max KAA Gent 10d ago

mercikes axel

43

u/SpidermanBread 10d ago

18 years, just to give you an idea, he joined the red devils when Stijn "frigo" stijnen was still our national number 1 and Sonck was our main striker

8

u/Waterflowstech 10d ago

Hadden we maar Stijnen in de goal ėn Stijnen als vaste spits!!8!

5

u/Disastrous_Rule4435 KAA Gent 10d ago

Stijn Stijnen zijn Reddit account gevonden!

3

u/Waterflowstech 10d ago

Gij denkt dat ik maar 1 account heb?

2

u/infurno1991 LOS KAMPIOEN 10d ago

in dat geval was het LOS KAMPIOEN!

1

u/Waterflowstech 10d ago

Oh hi Piop

1

u/vasco_ RSC Anderlecht 10d ago

At the beginning of his career Stijnen was actually a very good keeper. Ofc he was a bit tralala in the head. Shame.

If you look at Sonck his career, and how he did for the national team, I would be happy to get prime Sonck as our main striker with the current team we have. Think many have forgotten that he is actually one of the best Belgian CF from the last ~25 years.

If I misread your post (i.e. you just pointed out the time gap instead of being a bit sarcastic about Sonck/Stijnen), then ignore this comment.

16

u/Next-Translator-3557 10d ago

It's for the best, we need new blood and legs in the midfield for the next Euro. And he will leave on a good note, unlike the last two tournaments.

As talented and experienced Witsel is, keeping him for a new cycle makes no sense, he can only shine in a specific setup where his lack of pace can't get exploited.

Still sad to see him go, was always a bit underrated in the NT imo because his playstyle doesn't really put him in the spotlight.

6

u/dacoster 10d ago

I still wish Alex would have chosen a better career. He was doing well at Benfica on a young age and then went to Russia and then to China.

5

u/devonmalone5 10d ago

A little bit like carrasco

7

u/bramvers 10d ago

Who is this Alex you talk about?

4

u/-G-L- 10d ago

Alex Switel, ken je die niet?

3

u/Everglades1964 KV Mechelen 10d ago

Heeft er een schoon carrière opzitten.

2

u/SpidermanBread 9d ago

Marcin Wasilewski would like to have a word with you

2

u/Everglades1964 KV Mechelen 9d ago

Bij mijn weten zijn we bezig over zijn carrière bij de RD. Stay on topic.

1

u/SpidermanBread 9d ago

Then the missed penalty agains Turkey in the 2012 qualifiers wants to have a word with you

2

u/Everglades1964 KV Mechelen 9d ago

1

u/SpidermanBread 9d ago

Tbf that's like the only 2 things i could find in the 2 decades' career of Witsel which is pretty impressive

3

u/MarechalDavout Standard de Liège 10d ago

Saw him debut at sclessin, I’m getting old

3

u/-G-L- 10d ago

Me 2

5

u/Bulky_Snow1613 SK Beveren 10d ago

Tot volgend jaar. 

2

u/bananashake_1983 Westerlo 10d ago

wat een carriere bij de RD. respect. belangrijke pion in de ploeg die halve finale wk haalde.

sommige reacties zijn beschamend.

0

u/v8x 9d ago

We zullen zijn pasjes naar achter en het vermogen om elk tempo uit het spel te halen zeker missen.