Sport

Dear Germany, you just lost 'The' Mesut Ozil, our condolences

Die Mannschaft has just lost their most gifted midfielder of this generation to a racial spat. Here are few things about the controversial Arsenal playmaker that you might not have known so far.
Mesut Ozil a key part of Germany's World Cup-winning team in 2014, is quitting Germany's national team following criticism over his decision to pose for a picture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Opinions might vary over the gifted midfielder'
Mesut Ozil a key part of Germany's World Cup-winning team in 2014, is quitting Germany's national team following criticism over his decision to pose for a picture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Opinions might vary over the gifted midfielder'
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COMPETING IN EUROPEAN TOP-TIER FOR OVER A DECADE: The 29-year-old has been in the European top-flight football for 12 years now, starting off at Schalke 04. He played UEFA Champions League at the age of 18 for the German side, only to make it a routine in the years to come. IN PIC: Ozil with Cristiano Ronaldo during a La Liga match for real Madrid. (Photo | AFP)
COMPETING IN EUROPEAN TOP-TIER FOR OVER A DECADE: The 29-year-old has been in the European top-flight football for 12 years now, starting off at Schalke 04. He played UEFA Champions League at the age of 18 for the German side, only to make it a routine in the years to come. IN PIC: Ozil with Cristiano Ronaldo during a La Liga match for real Madrid. (Photo | AFP)
EVOLUTION: In September 2006, he was first called up for Germany under-17 team and progressed to under-21 team by 2007. On June 29, 2009, he set up the first and scored the second goal in the 48 minute to help Germany defeat England in the ‘2009 UEFA European Under-21Championship.’ This was Germany’s first under-21 title and Ozil earned his first man of the match in the finals. (Photo | AP)
EVOLUTION: In September 2006, he was first called up for Germany under-17 team and progressed to under-21 team by 2007. On June 29, 2009, he set up the first and scored the second goal in the 48 minute to help Germany defeat England in the ‘2009 UEFA European Under-21Championship.’ This was Germany’s first under-21 title and Ozil earned his first man of the match in the finals. (Photo | AP)
PERSONAL HONOURS: Mesut Ozil is the only player to have top the 'most-assists' list in Bundesliga (2009-2010), La Liga (2011-12) and Premier league in (2015-16). He has won the German national award for the best player five times (2011, '12, '13, '15 and '16) and Kicker Magazine's award for Best German abroad in 2016. IN PIC: Ozil with former Germany forward Lukas Podolski (Photo | AFP)
PERSONAL HONOURS: Mesut Ozil is the only player to have top the 'most-assists' list in Bundesliga (2009-2010), La Liga (2011-12) and Premier league in (2015-16). He has won the German national award for the best player five times (2011, '12, '13, '15 and '16) and Kicker Magazine's award for Best German abroad in 2016. IN PIC: Ozil with former Germany forward Lukas Podolski (Photo | AFP)
ROONEY WANTED HIM IN UNITED: English great Wayne Rooney wanted his former club Manchester United to sign the German midfielder in 2010, according to the autobiography of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a time United was trying to forge their attacking midfield, and if Ozil was signed, the Red Devils could have perhaps added one or two titles more to their cabin. (Photo | AFP)
ROONEY WANTED HIM IN UNITED: English great Wayne Rooney wanted his former club Manchester United to sign the German midfielder in 2010, according to the autobiography of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a time United was trying to forge their attacking midfield, and if Ozil was signed, the Red Devils could have perhaps added one or two titles more to their cabin. (Photo | AFP)
ARDENT BELIEVER: Explaining his faith, Ozil has said, 'I always recite from the Quran before I go out (on the pitch). This really helps me to keep me focused. I pray and my team-mates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period.' (Photo | AP)
ARDENT BELIEVER: Explaining his faith, Ozil has said, 'I always recite from the Quran before I go out (on the pitch). This really helps me to keep me focused. I pray and my team-mates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period.' (Photo | AP)
REAL, ARSENAL NEVER LOST WHEN HE SCORED: Arsenal and Real Madrid have never lost when Ozil found a place in the scoresheet. Official club records confirm the fact that one of his 19 goals for real or 27 for the Gunners has happened to be for losing cause. 'Want to save a game? Make Ozil score' - how about that for an 'X' formula! (Photo | AP)
REAL, ARSENAL NEVER LOST WHEN HE SCORED: Arsenal and Real Madrid have never lost when Ozil found a place in the scoresheet. Official club records confirm the fact that one of his 19 goals for real or 27 for the Gunners has happened to be for losing cause. 'Want to save a game? Make Ozil score' - how about that for an 'X' formula! (Photo | AP)
MADRID'S NEMO-BOY: During his time at Real Madrid, he earned the nickname 'Nemo' from Disney's 2003 animation superhit 'Finding Nemo' for his alleged lookalike with the baby Clownfish in the movie. His teammates had started calling him the name in his very first season with the Spanish giants, and according to media reports he has also been likened to a tortoise, hare, owl, and a chameleon. (Photos | AFP, Disney Studio)
MADRID'S NEMO-BOY: During his time at Real Madrid, he earned the nickname 'Nemo' from Disney's 2003 animation superhit 'Finding Nemo' for his alleged lookalike with the baby Clownfish in the movie. His teammates had started calling him the name in his very first season with the Spanish giants, and according to media reports he has also been likened to a tortoise, hare, owl, and a chameleon. (Photos | AFP, Disney Studio)
NOT VERY GREAT GERMAN SPEAKER: Though born and brought up in Germany, Ozil is not very fluent in the German language. He has to concentrate to speak German, something that he attributes to his attending of the preparatory school where Turkish was more prominent.He attended Gesamtschule Berger Feld School where the current German national team captain Manuel Neuer was his schoolmate. (Photo | AP)
NOT VERY GREAT GERMAN SPEAKER: Though born and brought up in Germany, Ozil is not very fluent in the German language. He has to concentrate to speak German, something that he attributes to his attending of the preparatory school where Turkish was more prominent.He attended Gesamtschule Berger Feld School where the current German national team captain Manuel Neuer was his schoolmate. (Photo | AP)
Mesut Ozil
Germany football team
Die Mannschaft
Mesut Ozil international retirement

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