Mesut Ozil retires from football
Mesut Ozil, the former Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Germany midfielder, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.
The talented playmaker won nine trophies during his club career, including four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012.
He was also a key player in Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team.
In a statement on social media, Ozil said, “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”
Ozil began his career at Schalke and Werder Bremen before moving to Real Madrid in 2010, where he won the La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
He joined Arsenal in 2013 for a then club-record fee of £42.4m, winning back-to-back FA Cups in his first two seasons before being named player of the season in his third.
Ozil became the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history in 2018, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal worth £350,000 a week before tax.
However, he fell out of favor under new Arsenal boss Unai Emery and was eventually loaned to Fenerbahce in 2021, before joining Istanbul Basaksehir in 2022.
Ozil won 92 caps for Germany, where he was named Germany player of the year five times.
However, he retired from international football in 2018, citing “racism and disrespect” he faced in Germany over his Turkish roots.
Despite a highly successful career, Ozil’s decision to retire from football comes as no surprise to many, given his recent injury struggles and lack of game time.
He leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and moments that will be remembered by football fans for years to come.
As a highly skilled and creative player, Ozil will always be remembered for his vision, passing ability, and his ability to create chances for his teammates.
His legacy will continue to inspire young footballers for generations to come.
