Anniversary: Witsel, the Belgium who stood out in Benfica's midfield

The historic city of Liège saw Axel Witsel be born on January 12th, 1989, 29 year ago. So, it's the birthday of the Belgium player who wore the Benfica shirt in the 2011/12 season and in the first three officials matches of 2012/13, before transferring to Zenit for his release clause fee: 40 million euros.

On July 13th, 2011, the Belgium international, who at the time played at Standard de Liège, was announced has a Reds' new signing, arriving at Luz with the promise of shining and establishing himself in the midfield.

Witsel played 52 times with an eagle on his chest, scored five goals (one in the Championship, two in the League Cup and two in the Champions League) and won a League Cup.

The Belgium player spell at Benfica was short (a little over one year), but Witsel stood. He made his debut for the Reds on July 27^th, 2011, in the match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, against the Turks of Trabzonspor, replacing Pablo Aimar at 74’.

Five games later, against Twente, in the second leg of the Champions League's playoff, Witsel scored his first two goals with Benfica's jersey (August 24^th, 2011).

About to be sold to Zenit, Witsel made his last match on the pitch of Luz on September 2, 2012, in Matchweek 3 of the National Championship, against Nacional da Madeira, which Benfica won by 3-0.

In the following day, it was official: the Belgium player moved to Russia to represent the club from Saint Petersburg.  He grew at Luz and took the Club in his heart: "If one day I return to the Portuguese football, it will only be to play at Benfica!", said the midfielder in February 2016.

Currently, Witsel plays at Tianjin Quanjian, in China.

Obrigado @SLBenfica 🙏🏽
Sempre 🔴⚪💪🏽 https://t.co/EGYw7bB3Pw

— Axel Witsel (@axelwitsel28) 12 de janeiro de 2018

Text: Márcia Dores

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica