A this stage of his life, with eleven titles in his palms (he won with the Liège Standard, benfica, Zenit Saint Petersburg Y Borussia Dortmund), his two participations in the European Championship and the World Cup (in the last one, in Russia 2018, he was third) and his more than 600 games as a professional between his clubs and the national team. Belgiumit is not necessary to say much more about the figure of axel witzelthe next signing of the athletic. Better late than never, because the rojiblancos have been waiting for his arrival for eight years… shortly after his name also appeared on the agenda of the real Madrid.
It would be in the summer of 2014 the first time that Atlético would launch an offensive for Witsel, then 25 years old and having just finished his first participation in a World Cup. The midfielder had been recorded on the radar of Simeone since ten months before, when he completed the 180 minutes of the double confrontation against Zenit in the group stage of the Champions (3-1 in the Caldern and 1-1 in Saint Petersburg).
However, Atlético would meet with the refusal of the Russian club, which two years earlier had paid 20 kilos plus another six in variables to Benfica to turn Witsel into the most important operation in the league. portuguese football history at that time. Despite everything, the Atletico Sports Directorate will not forget his name, as has now become clear.
Will we see Witsel scoring these great goals if he signs for Atleti?
In fact, a year and a half later, in December 2015, another new attempt would take place. fracture of the tibia James left Atltico rudderless, so Witsel would return to the scene. Unfortunately for the rojiblanca and Cholo, Zenit’s response would be the same again, causing the illusion of hiring the midfielder to subside.
To make matters worse, Simeone would still have to suffer like Witsel, once he had completed his journey in Russia and after his surprising passage through the Tianjin Quanjian Chinese, became the engine of Borussia Dortmund that passed over Atlético in the group stage of the Champions League of the 18-19 season. The Belgian, in fact, would open the account of the 4-0 that was the biggest wiggle for Cholo’s in the competition.
He was able to play in Madrid… dressed in white
By the time Atltico laid eyes on Witsel eight years ago, the midfielder was already considered one of the pearls most promising of Europe. So much so that Real Madrid had already tested him two campaigns before, when he stood out in a Benfica that had not hesitated to pay eight million to Standard de Liège despite the fact that he had 22 years at the time.
With Lass Y altintop On the exit ramp, Real Madrid was looking for a midfielder and Witsel met all the requirements to wear white. In fact, by May 2012 the Portuguese press was already talking about an agreement in principle while Rui Costa, sports director of Benfica, already gave him up for lost. However, it would be the preseason two months later that would finish convincing the whites.
Although Real Madrid had already initiated contacts to try to sign modrica friendly played in Lisbon will lead to Mourinho to point out to the midfielder what he wanted in the event that the negotiation for the Croatian did not bear fruit. It was not for less, because Witsel had shone with a goal included in Benfica’s hand (5-2).
Finally, not without difficulties, the Tottenham would access Modric’s exit, which would close the doors of the Bernabu to a Witsel who, a few days after the market closed, would accept Zenit’s proposal before weighing in to become a target for Atltico, who at last, after eight years of waiting, will be able to enjoy it.
Discussion about this post