Axel Witsel #6

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The oldest Red Devil. Witsel made his international debut in 2008 when teammate Nathan De Cat hadn’t even been born. Witsel is now 37 but still standing strong thanks to his work ethic, which, said his father Thierry, with whom he runs a football academy, is “similar to that of Cristiano Ronaldo”. In recent years Witsel also started skipping carbs in the evening and he wears a WHOOP bracelet to track his running, sleep and overall health. He didn’t play for Belgium for almost three years, to focus on his club career, but he admitted that he regretted that decision. He is expected to play a key role this summer, but more off the pitch than on it. If he does get more minutes than anticipated, though, we’ll be able to admire his famous tattoos once more. Apart from the paternoster on his chest, his arms are now fully inked, including the names of his kids, and an image of a roaring lion.

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