Mesut Özil

German-Turkish association footballer

Mesut Özil (born 15 October 1988) is a German football player of Turkish descent. He plays for Fenerbahçe and the German national team.

Mesut Özil
Özil in 2019
Personal information
Full name Mesut Özil
Date of birth (1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 (age 34)
Place of birth Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
Fenerbahçe
Number 10
Youth career
1995–1998 Westfalia 04 Gelsenkirchen
1998–1999 Teutonia Schalke-Nord
1999–2000 Falke Gelsenkirchen
2000–2005 Rot-Weiss Essen
2005–2006 Schalke 04
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Schalke 04 30 (0)
2008–2010 Werder Bremen 71 (13)
2010–2013 Real Madrid 105 (19)
2013–2021 Arsenal 184 (33)
2021– Fenerbahçe 18 (2)
National team
2006–2007 Germany U19 11 (4)
2007–2009 Germany U21 16 (5)
2009–2018 Germany 92 (23)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:12, 17 January 2021 (UTC)

Özil is often praised for his skill at being an attacking midfielder. He is known for making plenty of assists. In 2011, he made the second most assists with Real Madrid in La Liga with 17 and the most assists in major European competitions with 25.

Club career Edit

Schalke 04 Edit

In 2005, he went to the youth department of FC Schalke 04. He was a midfielder, and his number was 17. He soon played in the Ligapokal, against teams such as FC Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. He was thought to be the "next big thing," but soon left the club.

Werder Bremen Edit

In 2008, Mesut Özil moved to Werder Bremen for a reported amount of €4.3 million, signing a contract with the German club until June 30, 2011. He soon became popular in the club, leading them to the 2009 DFB-Pokal final with the winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen. He helped the team make it to the UEFA Cup, but lost to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real Madrid Edit

 
Mesut Özil playing for Real Madrid.

Because of his impressive performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he made his place as one of the best young football athletes in Europe. Teams such as FC Barcelona, Manchester United. and Arsenal wanted him in their squad. Werder Bremen made an agreement with Real Madrid. The transfer amount was believed to be near €15 million. After signing, Özil said, "When the offer came in to join Real Madrid, there is no decision to make. Let's be honest – you don't refuse this club. I was in no rush to leave Werder Bremen, but this is one club you say yes to. They are an institution, a club with a fantastic history, stadium and squad full of world-class players. The prospect of performing at the Bernabeu is so awesome you jump straight in."

His first game was against Hércules, which the team won the game 3-1. His first goal was against Deportivo de La Coruña, which the team won 6-1.

Mesut Özil performed many assists, and in the 2011-12 season he was nominated for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. Real Madrid maintained its success, and finished in 1st place in the 2011-12 La Liga.

Arsenal

Ozil joined Arsenal in September 2013 at a transfer fee believed to be around €50 million. His first game for Arsenal was against Sunderland in which the team won 3-1, with him making an assist. He was a top performer in his first season, however his form has went down since then.

Club career statistics Edit

Club Season League Cup1 Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Schalke 04 2006–07 19 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 21 0 1
2007–08 11 0 4 1 1 0 4 0 0 16 1 4
Total 30 0 5 2 1 0 5 0 0 37 1 5
Werder Bremen 2007–08 12 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 14 1 1
2008–09 28 3 12 5 2 1 14 0 7 47 5 20
2009–10 31 9 12 5 0 2 10 2 7 44 11 21
2010–11 1 0 1 1 0 1
Total 71 13 25 11 2 4 26 2 14 106 15 43
Real Madrid 2010–11 36 6 17 6 3 2 11 1 6 53 10 25
2011–12 35 4 17 7 1 4 10 1 3 52 7 24
Total 71 10 34 13 4 6 21 2 9 105 17 49
Career totals 172 23 64 26 7 10 52 4 23 248 4000 186

International career goals Edit

# Date Stadium Opponent Score Result Competition
1 September 5 2009 BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany   South Africa 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2 June 23 2010 Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa   Ghana 0–1 0–1 2010 World Cup
3 October 8 2010 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany   Turkey 2–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
4 June 7 2011 Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan   Azerbaijan 0–1 1–3 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
5 September 2 2011 Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany   Austria 2–0 6–2 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
6 September 2 2011 Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany   Austria 4–1 6–2 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
7 October 11 2011 Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany   Belgium 1–0 3–1 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
8 November 15 2011 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany   Netherlands 3–0 3–0 Friendly
Correct since 15 November 2011

Retirement Edit

Őzil stopped playing for the German National Team in July 2018 citing "racism and disrespect".[2][3]

References Edit

  1. "Mesut Özil: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mesut-ozil-international-retirement-statement-12963681 | Mesut Ozil retires FULL TRANSCRIPT: The explosive words from Arsenal star as he sensationally quits Germany
  3. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-mesut-ozil-announces-retirement-12962134%7C[permanent dead link] Mesut Ozil retires from Germany duty and slams the "racism and disrespect" he suffered after World Cup - Mi