The secret, which hasn’t been one for a long time, is now officially no longer one either: on Saturday, midfielder Axel Witsel confirmed that he would be leaving BVB in the summer after four years.
In a media session, the Belgian answered questions from the journalists after BVB’s 4-3 defeat against VfL Bochum and initially talked about things that the team (“we”) must do better in the coming season. Witsel confirmed shortly afterwards that there would be no more “we” for him when he said: “I said ‘we’, but I won’t be there anymore, I’ll be gone next season.”
In the end, Witsel only said what everyone already knew about Signal Iduna Park. It has been reported for months that Borussia Dortmund will part ways with the Belgian in the summer.
His farewell was already in the air during the past winter break. Benfica, Barca and Liege have been linked with a last-minute signing in late January 2022. As is well known, a change did not come about, but the end of his BVB time was ultimately only postponed.
Witsel “sad” about BVB farewell
“I’m very happy that I played here at the highest level for four years,” said the Belgian, looking back on his time in Dortmund on Saturday. Now that he is “sad” that he is leaving the club, he once again confirmed his departure: “In the end, that’s the life of a footballer. I’m looking forward to the last game, but I’ll also be very sad.”
When asked about his sporting future, the 33-year-old replies that he cannot say anything. After all, Witsel (still) categorically ruled out one station: “I’m not going back to Belgium. Not yet.”
So far, Axel Witsel has appeared in 103 Bundesliga, eleven DFB Cup and 27 European Cup games for BVB. The Belgian scored 13 goals.