In an interview with Eleven, Atlético Madrid midfielder Axel Witsel was asked about fellow Belgian Yannick Carrasco’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia. As reported by HLN, the midfielder supported the Belgian international’s decision to move to the Middle-East for money. Witsel said ‘Of course we go there for the money and not for the sporting project that is presented to you. That is the only truth. The fact that Yannick has now also chosen this is fine for me. Yet it is also an enrichment.’ 30-year-old Carrasco left Atlético in the summer to join Al Shabab, where he has already scored his first goal.
The 34-year-old had a similar experience when he moved to China in 2017. The former Belgian international spent two seasons in the Chinese Super League back in its height, playing 45 games and scoring six. He then moved back to Europe to join Borussia Dortmund and then his current club.
Witsel was also asked about the possibility of re-joining his first side Standard Liege. Witsel played 130 games for Standard between 2007 and 2011, scoring 32 goals. While he did not rule out returning to Belgium, Witsel was keen to state that he is focusing on seeing out his contract in Madrid before his next move.
