At the age of 34, Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from professional football.

The former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder has called time on his career after a brief stint with Istanbul Basaksehir, who he only joined back in July.

As his contract at Arsenal expired, Ozil moved to Turkey with Fenerbahce a little over two years ago.

Confirming his decision in a statement, Ozil said: “Hello everyone, After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, its become more and more clear that its time to leave the big stage of football.

“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Ba§akwhir and the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.

“Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad. Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.

“Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels. See you soon, Mesut!”

Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Aqr4pB5SI2

— Mesut Özil (@M10) March 22, 2023

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After a stunning World Cup performance with Germany in 2010, he began his career in the German Bundesliga with Schalke and Werder Bremen. But, it was with Real Madrid that he truly established himself at the highest level.

Ozil joined Los Blancos’ star-studded squad under Jose Mourinho’s leadership after they defeated competition from the best teams in Europe to win his signature.

Ozil rapidly gained a reputation as one of the top playmakers in the world and was a finalist for the 2011 Ballon d’Or award because of his propensity for setting up opportunities and assisting teammates.

In the 2011–12 season, he helped Madrid in winning La Liga, and throughout the course of his three seasons there, he led the league in assists.

Ozil signed a £42.5 million transfer to Arsenal in 2013 after Arsene Wenger became interested in him due to his play in Spain.

When things finally went south, he was well-praised by the Arsenal fans and quickly rose to the status of a club hero after helping them win three FA Cups.

Ozil’s £350,000-per-week deal, which was given to him after his exceptional play, irked Gunners supporters when Arsenal dropped out of the top four and his performance fell.

His role at the club was quickly diminished following the appointments of Unai Emery and successor Mikel Arteta – the latter of whom agreed to terminate Ozil’s contract after he fell out of favour for selection.

Ozil earned 92 caps for the German national team and played a huge part in them winning the 2014 World Cup but he retired from international football in 2018 following a row with the German FA (DFB) and media criticism over his Turkish heritage after he posed alongside Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a photograph.

Away from football Ozil is a well-known philanthropist and also has a number of business ventures. Among them, he has his own M10 Esports company, and his agent Dr Erkut Sogut, has previously suggested Ozil could potentially become a professional gamer after his football career comes to an end.

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Mesut Ozil has defended his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and urged his critics to show more respect.

While playing alongside Ozil at Real Madrid, the Portuguese superstar had one of the best productive periods in his career thanks to the German playmaker’s steady stream of assists.

This season, Ronaldo has looked like a shell of the man he was when he was playing in Madrid, or even the player who had 24 goals for Manchester United the previous season.

The 37-year-old arrived at the World Cup following his acrimonious departure from the Premier League giants and his fortunes have hardly improved while on international duty in Qatar.

Ronaldo was obliged to refute claims made by Portuguese media that he was prepared to quit the team after he was benched and made to witness Goncalo Ramos score a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 6-1 victory over Switzerland.

As a victim of Germany’s media after their disastrous group stage loss in Russia four years ago, which led to his international retirement, Ozil is no stranger to contentious World Cup campaigns.

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And in response to the treatment and mockery of Ronaldo, former Arsenal player Ozil has blasted the slew of media commentators he says are using the name of his former teammate to raise their own profiles.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘I really don’t get where this constant negativity from the press about Cristiano comes from.

‘The Media is just trying to get clicks, and pundits who don’t have a career anymore just want to get attention with his big name and try to make him look bad.

‘He is soon 38 years old – so what’s the surprise that he doesn’t score 50 goals a season anymore?

‘Every football fan out there should be happy to have seen him playing world class football for 20 years – I don’t think anyone from the new generation will be able to match his numbers again. He will forever be in his own category.’ Everyone should show more respect to one of the greatest athletes in sports history…

 

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