Mesut Ozil is a German professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Arsenal as an attacking midfielder, but can also be deployed as a winger. He is renowned for his technical skills and creativity; due to his agility, finesse and versatility as an attacking midfielder.
Ozil began his senior career as a member of his hometown club Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, departing two seasons later to join Werder Bremen for €5 million. He garnered break-out attention in the 2009-10 season, being ranked first in assists in major European and domestic competitions, with 25 which garnered him a €15 million transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid. At the club, Ozil won the Copa del Rey in his first season, before registering a league high 17 assists in a league winning season. Following a second-place La Liga finish to rivals Barcelona in the 2012–13 season, Ozil relocated to England to join Premier League side Arsenal in a then club-record deal worth £42.5 million (€50 million), making him the most expensive German player of all time. During his first season, Ozil helped end Arsenal's nine-year trophy drought, winning the FA Cup in 2014. He later became victorious in two more FA Cup campaigns. Ozil would also record the second most assists (19) in a Premier League season in 2015–16.
At international level, Ozil played 92 matches for the Germany national team, scoring 23 goals, and registering 40 assists. He also won a record five German Player of the Year awards. Ozil represented his country in three FIFA World Cups, as well as two UEFA European Championships, and was an integral part in both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, where he starred as the joint-highest assist provider in both competitions. Ozil was also a key contributor in Germany's victorious 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign. After the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Ozil retired from international competition, alleging discrimination and disrespect by the German Football Association (DFB) and the German media. |
