Axel Witsel Threatened To End The Season Early Due To Torn Achilles Tendon

Axel Witsel leaves the field due to injury during the German League match against RB Leipzig (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Borussia Dortmund has confirmed that Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel will be out for months due to suffering from a torn Achilles tendon.

Quoted by Antara from Dortmund's official website, the injury also made Witsel an opportunity to end this season early.

Bittere Nachricht: Der BVB wird in den kommenden Monaten auf Axel #Witsel verzichten müssen. Der belgische Nationalspieler hatte sich in Sachsen ohne Fremdeinwirkung die Achillessehne gerissen. Die gesamte BVB-Familie drückt Axel die Daumen für eine möglichst rasche Genesung! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5P3nK1ADb6

- Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 10, 2021

The defensive midfielder had to be assisted as he walked off the pitch on Saturday, January 10, when Dortmund won 3-1 at RB Leipzig. In that match, Erling Haaland scored a brace and Jadon Sancho scored one goal.

Dortmund did not give an estimate whether Witsel would be fit to play for the Belgian national team at the European Cup, which is scheduled to start on June 11.

With Dortmund occupying fourth place in the German League standings, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich, Witsel's injury was a blow. The player has started 18 times in the 24 games Dortmund have played in all competitions this season.

Dortmund have secured tickets to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and Witsel will miss both legs of their last 16 tie. He visited Sevilla on February 17th, and while on host status on March 9th.