Mustafa Ozil, the father of Mesut Ozil, has expressed doubts over his son’s decision to leave the national team in 2018, alleging that the former Arsenal player “is being used.”
In 2018, the German midfielder announced his resignation from the German national team due to accusations of “racism and disrespect.” He further stated that he was used as a “scapegoat” after their World Cup group stage loss.
The 35-year-old, who played for Fenerbache and Basakeshir, announced his retirement from football in March 2023.
In response to his son’s decision to retire from international football, his father expressed his “disappointment” with the way the midfielder’s career came to an end and said he wishes he could go back in time.
“I would turn the wheel back if I had a magic wand,” Ozil senior stated in a Bild interview. This was not how Messut’s career could finish. Even now, I still can’t accept it. I feel depressed and let down. It aches for me.
It was shocking when Ozil announced his intention to leave the national team, having earned 92 caps and scoring 23 goals in 23 appearances.
‘With a heavy heart and after much contemplation, due of recent events, I will no longer play for Germany at international level as long as I experience this feeling of racism and disrespect,’ stated Ozil in a statement released along with his announcement.
“I will no longer be playing for Germany at the international level while I feel this racism and disrespect,” he continued. I no longer wear the German shirt with the same pleasure and pride that I once did.
During his 254 games with Arsenal, he scored 44 goals. He also made 159 appearances with Real Madrid, where he was a key member of the team that won the Spanish league in 2012.
Mustafa, the son’s father, expressed doubt about his son’s remarks made upon his retirement, saying he thought the former Germany international had been “taken advantage of.”
Mesut was impacted by his surroundings. He wasn’t benefiting from that. You cannot claim that his birthplace of Germany is xenophobic or that it would not have given him a chance. He does not make such claims; that is not who he is. To be honest, I think Mesut was also taken advantage of.
Mustafa Özil says, “I think he is being used to a certain extent.” “But you shouldn’t read too much into it,” the appeal goes on. Still, as a father, I wish he would just stop posting things on social media about his background, politics, and religion. He is a sportsman.
