By On Wednesday, March 22, Mesut Ozil, a former World Cup-winning midfielder for Germany, announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34. Ozil, who had a successful career with Real Madrid and Arsenal, was a vital member of Germany’s World Cup-winning team in Brazil in 2014. However, he retired from the German national team in 2018 amid a political controversy that sparked backlash over a photograph he took with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Ozil, who has Turkish heritage, stated that he faced “racism and disrespect” over his ancestry.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Ozil expressed gratitude for his 17-year career as a professional football player, stating that he felt “incredibly thankful for the opportunity.” However, he acknowledged that it was time for him to leave the “big stage of football” due to recent injuries and personal reasons. Ozil most recently played for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir but had an illustrious career with top clubs such as Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Ozil started his career in his hometown of Germany with Schalke before moving to Werder Bremen, where he earned a spot on the German national team due to his impressive performances. Ozil was a standout player during the 2010 World Cup and earned a transfer to Real Madrid. He then had a successful eight-year stint with Arsenal, where he played a significant role in the team’s attacking prowess. However, Ozil’s relationship with Arsenal eventually broke down, leading to his move to Turkish club Fenerbahce in 2021.
Beyond his footballing achievements, Ozil was known for his advocacy for social justice causes. He was a UNICEF ambassador and donated his 2014 World Cup winnings to children in Brazil. Ozil also spoke out against the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China, causing a rift with Arsenal’s Chinese fans. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Ozil remained a respected and influential figure in the footballing world. His retirement marks the end of an era in German football and a successful career that spanned almost two decades.