Legendary German midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.
After a spectacular career at the national level and in top clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid, the veteran playmaker Ozil decided to hang his boots on Wednesday, March 22.
The 34-year-old Ozil is no doubt one of the greatest attacking midfielders that the world of football has ever seen.
The former Arsenal and Real Madrid spectacular midfielder had a series of indelible mindblowing feats during his prime that has registered him among the greatest names in football.
Mesut Ozil has been an agent of motivation to several other attacking midfielders over the years.
Many attacking midfielders have attempted to imitate his playing style but only little has succeeded, which shows how unique Ozil is as a player.
After Ozil announced his retirement from football on Wednesday, the veteran midfielder received tons of affectionate and sweet good-bye from his former teammates and colleagues on Instagram and Twitter.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who is presumably one of the many Ozil has inspired, took to his Instagram page to pen down a heartfelt farewell for his former Gunners teammate, Ozil.
Saka wrote: “what a player, enjoy! Thank you for everything, bro. Enjoy your next chapter”
Former Arsenal star who is now playing for Marseille, Alexis Sanchez also paid tribute to his ex-Arsenal teammate.
Alexis acknowledged Ozil as a cool player who is humble and treats all of his relationships with friends and teammates with great understanding.
The 34-year-old Chilean shared pictures and video of the memories he and Ozil shared.
Former Real Madrid teammate, Khedira also congratulated Ozil on his retirement while admitting he is proud to have him as a teammate.
Real Madrid decided to pay tribute to the all-time legendary midfielder Ozil in a grand style.
The club shared a clip of Ozil’s spectacular performances with Maroon 5’s memories hit song as its background on their social media page.
Arsenal FC also took to their official Instagram page to appreciate the German legendary footballer for his wonderful contributions to the London club.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender Ruediger wasn’t left out in the emotional tribute to Ozil.
Giroud and De Bruyne both decided that just a word is enough to describe the veteran German midfielder Ozil – ‘legend!”
Mesut Ozil won nine trophies during his prime time club career, which include four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012.
Mesut Ozil could have played for Germany or Turkey at the international level but decided to play for the country of his birth, Germany.
The soccer icon won 92 caps for Germany and was part of the team that hoisted the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Ozil Primetime as a Legendary Midfielder
Mesut Ozil started his football career at Schalke and Werder Bremen before he was transferred to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2010, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup for Real Madrid.
Thereafter, he joined Arsenal for a club-record fee of £42.4m in September 2013.
He helped the Gunners in winning back-to-back FA Cups in his first two seasons before he was named player of the season in his third season and then won the FA cup again in 2017.
The 34-year-old retired playmaker became the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history in January 2018, after signing a three-and-a-half-year contract on about £350,000 a week before tax.
Ozil later had a miserable time in Arsenal after falling out of favor under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery.
Ozil returned to play for Arsenal under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg after Emery was dismissed in December 2019.
He also found favor under new Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, before the coronavirus pandemic forced a three-month suspension of the top flight in March 2020.
Afterward, he had a fallout with Arteta which contributed to his exit from the Premier League side to Turkey league in 2021 where he ended his football career two years later.
Mesut Ozil international career
Mesut Ozil made his debut for the Germany senior team at age 20 in 2009 and was named man of the match as Germany Under-21s beat England in the European U21 Championship final in June that same year.
The legendary Midfielder won Germany’s player of the year five times and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, as well as winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Mesut Ozil chose to hang his boot on March 22, 2023 after thoughtful considerations, including a myriad of injuries ravaging his career.
We at futballnews joined the world in celebrating one of the greatest footballers of our generation and we wish Ozil all the best.
