World Cup winner, Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.
Mesut Ozil won the FIFA World Cup tournament with the German national team in 2014.
The football superstar played 254 times for Arsenal and won four FA Cups with the Gunners, while he also made 159 appearances for Real Madrid, winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey; the 34-year-old also won 92 caps for Germany, scoring 23 goals and lifting the World Cup in 2014.
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Writing on Instagram, Ozil said that it was becoming “more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football“, with injuries playing a part in his decision.
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Ozil’s final game came on February 2, when he was substituted at half-time during Istanbul Basaksehir’s 1-0 defeat at Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig. It was one of just two starts he made for the club after signing from Fenerbahce last summer.
Ozil‘s statement read:
“After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.
“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”
The statement read further,
“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahce and Basaksehir – and the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.
“Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad.
“Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.
“Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels.”
Read the statement below.
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