Germany's midfielder Mesut Ozil reacts during a training session in Vatutinki, near Moscow, on June 13, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP
Mesut Özil has announced his retirement from the German National team.
The 29-year old midfielder was widely criticised for Germany’s poor performance at the World Cup as the team did not make it out of the group stage.
Majority of the criticism stemmed from an earlier backlash for a photo he took with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.
Özil hours earlier, gave a statement from his verified Twitter handle detailing his thoughts about the entire issue citing racism and poor treatment from the German Football Federation (DFB), calling out the DFB President, Reinhard Grindel in particular. He stated at the end that he will no longer play for Germany at the end.
“The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” Özil wrote.
“I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my debut in 2009 has been forgotten.”
“It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.”
The past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect, and time to think over the events of the last few months. Consequently, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about what has happened. pic.twitter.com/WpWrlHxx74
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
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II / III pic.twitter.com/Jwqv76jkmd
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
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III / III pic.twitter.com/c8aTzYOhWU
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
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Özil played 92 games for the German National team scoring 23 goals. He won the DFB Player of the year five times and was a crux in the 2014 World Cup winning team.
Source: G Sport
