The 31-year-old could miss out on this year’s rescheduled show event after a blow held in Saturday’s Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel has torn an Achilles tendon and will be out for “extended time”, the club confirmed on Sunday.
The Belgian international was injured and had to be helped in the first half of a 3-1 win by Edin Terzic side RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
After an initial prognosis overnight, Dortmund confirmed the 31-year-old’s injury rate, with the club refusing to set a timeline on return for the player-player.
However, he is likely to miss the rest of the season, with reports in Witsel’s home country suggesting he could be skeptical of a reorganized Euro 2020 tournament that is set to begin. June 11th.
With more than a hundred captains named for Roberto Martinez ‘s side, he was expected to play a big part as Belgium’ s world side No 1 seeks the success of a maiden competition.
“Unfortunate news,” the club confirmed in a statement on social media. “Axel Witsel suffered an Achilles tendon that was torn at the game yesterday and will be out for an extended period of time. We all wish Axel well and speedily.”
Witsel first arrived in Dortmund in the summer of 2018, after signing a four-year contract from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian, and behind appearing in the Belgian run to finish third in the Scottish Cup. Universe in Russia.
He previously spent time with Standard Liege in his home country, as well as Benfica and Zenit, earning major domestic honors with all three teams.
Since arriving at Iduna Signal Park, Witsel has emerged as a key player within the squad, helping to lead through a new generation of talents including Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.
He was a star in the club’s 2019 DFL-Supercup victory over Bayern Munich as Lucien Favre’s side claimed a guaranteed 2-0 win, although Dortmund could not help breaking the infertile climb in the Bundesliga.
His injury means he will now miss a crucial second half of the 2020-21 campaign, as Terzic looks to lead the club back to a title controversy with the Bayern champions five points ahead at the top.