Veteran Axel Witsel admits new head coach Rudi Garcia has re-energised Belgium squad

[p]Few footballers at the World Cup have had ‌as long an international career as the 37-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/witsel-axel/2JsUqijl/"]Witsel[/a], ‌who made his international debut in 2008 and is competing in his ‌fourth World Cup this year.[/p][p]He was part of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a]’s "golden ‌generation" that reached the quarter-final in 2014 and semi-final in 2018 but also in the squad that crashed out in the first round in Qatar ‌in 2022.[/p][p]He announced his retirement from international ⁠football soon after but was ‌then persuaded back for Euro 2024 where he served as cover and ​made the squad again for the World Cup.[/p][p][b]“I’m really happy to be here. Not everyone gets the opportunity ​to take part in a fourth World Cup, and I’m proud of it,”[/b] he told reporters.[/p][p]“When I look at this squad, ⁠maybe it’s comparable to ​2014 in Brazil, with that mix of experienced players, the new generation, and the atmosphere we have within the group.[/p][embed guid="a3b4fb59-2c9c-45fd-a919-efe635713ee8" url="https://x.com/BelgianFans/status/2065771971510743197" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]“Rudi Garcia has managed to re-energise the entire squad,” [/b]Witsel said of the French ‌coach appointed at the start of last year.[/p][p]“As soon as I returned to the group, I felt that little positive something, that extra spark — especially since the start of our preparations. Being at a World Cup remains the very highest level. I realise how important it is to be part of an event like this.”[/p][p]Witsel, relegated with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/girona/nNNpcUSL/"]Girona[/a] from LaLiga at the end of the season, is used mainly off the bench.[/p][p][b]“I know my ‌role, and it’s different from what it used to be. ​The coach knows he can count on me, whether as ‌a starter or coming off the bench. I’m available - that’s why I’m here,"[/b] he added.[/p][p]“The most important thing is the group. There are no egos in this squad. We’re not into that kind of thing. That’s why the atmosphere ⁠is really good."[/p][p]Belgium will get ⁠their Group G campaign ‌underway against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a] in Seattle [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/egypt-bejDn7NN/?mid=dG7zgzd5"]on Monday[/a].[/p]