Ex-Real Madrid, Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil announces retirement from football
The former Germany international has ended his professional career at the age of 34
Mesut Özil has announced on social media that he has decided to retire from football. The 34-year-old German player has taken the decision just a few weeks after Turkish club Basaksehir terminated his contract with the club.
Özil, who was one of the star signings of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, has decided to leave top-level football just a day after the departure of Togolese striker Emanuel Adebayor, with whom he shared a dressing room at Real Madrid.
The German midfielder has spent 17 seasons as a professional in a career that has gone from strength to strength, shining with the German national team and having his best years with Real Madrid and Arsenal.
He leaves with a brilliant record: 92 caps for Germany, 254 appearances for Arsenal and 159 for Real Madrid, with 114 goals and more than 200 assists across his different teams.
But his decline began when he left Arsenal in 2021 to play in Turkey for Fenerbahce and Basaksehir, the club that terminated his contract.
Özil has left a farewell letter on Instagram to all his fans:
He wrote: "I have had the privilege of being a professional football player for almost 17 years and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, after suffering a few injuries, it has become increasingly clear that it is time to leave the great stage of football.
"It has been an incredible journey full of unforgettable moments and emotions. I would like to thank my clubs: Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahçe, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, as well as teammates who have become friends.
"A special thanks to my family members and my closest friends. They have been part of my journey from day one and have given me a lot of love and support, through good times and bad. Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter what club I was representing.
"I now look 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 you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels. Thank you."
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