“He was something else; Better than Xavi and Iniesta”- Fans bid emotional goodbye to Mesut Ozil as he announces retirement

His career spanned a total of 17 years.


“He was something else; Better than Xavi and Iniesta”- Fans bid emotional goodbye to Mesut Ozil as he announces retirement

Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 34 on Wednesday. The 2014 World Cup champion and the German international was playing for Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey before announcing the decision.

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Ozil hung up his boots due to constant injuries. He left Arsenal in 2021 after losing Mikel Arteta’s trust and then played for Turkish giants Fenerbahce for 18 months, before leaving in the summer.

“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, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.” Mesut Ozil was a key member of Jose Mourinho’s brilliant Real Madrid side.

He continued, “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir 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.”

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Mesut Ozil’s early years

Mesut Ozil Werder Bremen
Mesut Ozil celebrating a goal for Werder Bremen. (Credits: marketwallpapers)

For onlookers, Mesut Ozil was quite clearly one of his generation’s future stars when he first broke out. “We are looking at the future World Player of the Year,” Miroslav Klose said. “That’s how good he is.” He then compared the German to some of the best players in the world at the time – Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ricardo Kaka.

Considering the promise he showed, one could say Ozil underperformed. It is quite a ludicrous suggestion, considering he is a La Liga and World Cup winner. But he indeed could have had more. After all, the trio Klose compared him to all won Ballon d’Ors. He was a trailblazer, and his unpredictable spark brought something unique to the national team. This was more visible at a time when the country was full of functionality and pure athleticism.

After his debut season, he was one of the best youngsters in Germany. Ozil scored three goals and provided 15 assists in his debut season. He dismantled England in the u21 Euros in 2009, scoring once and assisting twice. His u21 coach deemed him “our own Messi.” The German repeated the feat in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, leading his country to a 4-1 demolition of England in the Round of 16.

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A look at Mesut Ozil’s in his prime

Mesut Ozil Real Madrid
Mesut Ozil being substituted for Real Madrid. (credits: Berry Buch)

Mesut was superb in the years that followed – at Real Madrid and Arsenal. “Özil is unique,” Mourinho once said of his former player. “There is no copy of him, not even a bad copy.” He averaged an assist every other game for Real Madrid and took the Premier League by storm in his first three seasons at Arsenal. His most dominant was the 15/16 season, providing 16 assists by the end of December. However, a drop off in form by striker Olivier Giroud, and even from himself, meant the Gunners failed in their title challenge.

Ozil continued to be a key player for Arsenal in the next couple of years. But with the team declining, he never reached the dizzying standards he had set for himself. His decline has not been kind. The old Mesut Ozil, who easily skipped past challenges before threading his teammates through with unfathomable perfection in the final third, will never be seen again.

Twitter reacts to Mesut Ozil’s retirement

Mesut Ozil Germany
Mesut Ozil after scoring a goal for Germany. (Credits: hollywood reporter)

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