Mesut Ozil was once the envy of world football. His playmaking ability and flair for the game made him an international superstar. He won multiple awards, including a World Cup, and was lauded as one of the greatest midfielders in Europe. However, little by little, his light has dimmed over time.
Ozil’s career has been marred by inconsistency and a lack of commitment to his team.
The German player left Arsenal in a very ugly way, with his contract terminated by both parties and after a long period in which the player was relegated from all activities with the club.
He would move to Fenerbahce to continue his career, but he also failed to settle into this team and decided to leave the club after only one full season.
Istanbul Basaksehir received him in the summer of 2022 with a one-year contract with the possibility of renewing for another year. Still, things at this club are not working out either, and now the player has confessed to his teammates that he plans to retire.
Turkish sports journalist Yakup Cinar has revealed Ozil’s intentions to hang up his boots.
“Mesut Ozil’s contract is being terminated – he has decided to quit football,” Cinar posted on Twitter on Friday.
“Ozil, who was in the first 45 minutes of the Kayserispor match yesterday, did not go to Basaksehir training this morning and told his teammates that he decided to quit football.”
Everything indicates that Ozil will pursue interests outside of football, such as eSports. This was commented by his agent in 2022. “He will go more into eSports, play himself and maybe become an eSports athlete,” said Ozil’s representative, Dr Erkut Sogut.
“He’s really good, to be honest, at Fortnite and I think one day I wouldn’t be surprised if he is competing.”