Ex-Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil broadcasts finish of enjoying profession

Germany’s World Cup-winning midfielder Mesut Ozil introduced his retirement from soccer on the age of 34 on Wednesday.

The former Real Madrid and Arsenal participant was a key member of Germany’s World Cup-winning facet in Brazil in 2014.

He retired from the squad in 2018 amid a political debate in Germany about an inflow of migrants and after backlash over {a photograph} taken with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, saying he confronted “racism and disrespect” over his Turkish ancestry.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity,” Ozil, who most just lately performed for Turkish facet Istanbul Basaksehir, mentioned in an announcement on Instagram.

“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.”