World Cup 2014: Player profile - Axel Witsel, the Belgium midfielder

Counting down the 49 players to look out for in Brazil this summer

The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past, but who will be the star of the show?

With 49 days to go until things kick-off, check out our latest instalment of 50 players to look out for at the competition below.

49. Axel Witsel (Belgium)

The 24-year-old Zenit St Petersburg midfielder keeps the Belgians ticking when involved with the first team. With so much emerging talent coming from Belgium, Witsel finds it hard to hold down a regular first team place with the likes of Maroaune Fellaini and Steven Defour. Standing at 6ft 1in winning aerial duels is a fantastic attribute of his. However, his ability to spray passes to something not to go unnoticed. Witsel will hope to steer Belgium out of a relatively easy World Cup group. Russia will be there hardest test, with South Korea and Algeria occupying group H.

Did you know? Witsel scored his first international goal on his debut for Belgium in a 4-1 loss at the hands of Morocco.