FORMER ARSENAL STRIKER MESUT OZIL RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL
Mesut Ozil has announced his immediate retirement from international football.
The Germany midfielder made the announcement on Sunday evening claiming to have been the subject of “racism and disrespect” following his high-profile and controversial meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to the World Cup.
The picture with Erdogan saw the Arsenal man pose with the Turkish president and German teammate Ilkay Gundogan.
“The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” he said as part of a lengthy statement. “I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.”
He added: “It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.
