Mesut Özil, born 15 October 1988, is a former German professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
Özil is well-known for his technical abilities, creativity, passing ability, and vision.
He can also play as a wide midfielder.
Early life and Education
Mesut Özil was born on October 15, 1988, in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany to Mustafa and Gulizar.
He is the last-born son out of three siblings and a Muslim of Turkish origin.
He started off his life as a child from a poor background.
Özil was born during the period of industrial decline in Germany, when the unemployment rate was high, forcing his parents to work low-paying jobs to support the family.
Despite these challenges, Özil was determined to succeed.
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Career
Club Career ( Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe, Istanbul Başakşehir)
Mesut Özil, who was born and bred in Gelsenkirchen, began his senior club career with Schalke 04 before joining Werder Bremen in 2008, at the age of 19.
After winning the DFB-Pokal in his debut season, his outstanding performances earned him a move to Real Madrid in 2010.
There, he helped the club win La Liga and ranked first in league assists for three consecutive seasons.
In 2013, he signed for Arsenal in a deal of up to £42.5 million (€50 million), becoming the most expensive German footballer ever at the time.
In England, he won three FA Cups and helped break Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought.
He registered the second-most assists (19) in a Premier League season.
Özil joined Fenerbahçe on a free transfer in 2021, after his contract with the club expired in 2022, he signed with Istanbul Başakşehir.
International Career (Germany)
Özil is a German international who has won the most German Player of the Year awards (5).
At the age of 20, he made his senior debut for the German national team and played in five major tournaments.
He was the leading assist provider at both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA Euros, as he helped Germany reach the semi-finals both times.
He helped Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but retired from international competition in 2018.
Alleging discrimination and disrespect by the German Football Association (DFB) and the German media.
Personal Life
He is married to Amine Gülşe, a former Miss Turkey.
To celebrate their marriage, which took place in June 2019, the pair announced that they will sponsor 1000 children’s surgeries.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan was among the invited people who attended the wedding.
Mesut Özil is a Muslim, and he frequently recites the Quran before games.
A few months after his marriage, he and club teammate Sead Kolainac were the victims of a carjacking attempt in England.
Özil has been involved in a number of charity endeavors, including paying for the medical treatment of 23 sick Brazilian youngsters using his 2014 FIFA World Cup profits.
On March 22, 2023, he announced his retirement from professional football.
