Mesut Özil Retires from International FootballMesut Özil Retires from International Football Renowned German midfielder Mesut Özil has announced his retirement from international football, ending a storied career with the national team. In a statement posted on social media, Özil expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Germany since 2009, stating, “It has been an incredible honor to wear the German jersey and experience so many amazing moments with my teammates.” Özil’s international debut came in 2009, and he quickly became a key player for Germany. He played a pivotal role in the team’s 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil, scoring the winning goal against Ghana in the group stage. However, Özil’s time with Germany was marred by controversy in recent years. In 2018, he retired from international football after alleging that he had been subjected to “racism and disrespect” by the German Football Association (DFB). Despite returning to the team in 2019, Özil never regained his previous form. He was omitted from the squad for the 2020 European Championship and has not played for Germany since November 2018. In his retirement statement, Özil criticized the DFB for its handling of his situation, saying, “I have always been proud to represent Germany, but recent events have made it impossible for me to continue with good conscience.” Özil’s retirement is a blow to Germany, who will now have to find a replacement for one of their most talented players. The Arsenal midfielder has made 92 appearances for Germany, scoring 23 goals. Fans around the world will remember Özil for his exceptional technical skills, vision, and ability to create chances for his teammates. He will undoubtedly go down as one of Germany’s greatest ever midfielders.
