Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil retires from football

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 22 Mar 2023 12:03 GMT
• 5 min read

Breaking

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from football.

Ozil began his career with Schalke and was most recently with Istanbul Basaksehir, though he struggled to feature regularly for the Super Lig club due to injury problems that he cited were part of the reason for giving up.

In between times, he built a reputation for being a classy but temperamental performer for Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Fenerbahce.

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Mesut Ozil's retirement announcement

In a statement published on Instagram, he wrote:

"After thoughtful consideration, I'm announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.

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"I've had the privilege to be a professional footballer for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. Bt in recent weeks and months, having also suffered from some injuries, it's become more and more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football.

"It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs - Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir, and the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.

"Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been part f my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad.

"Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.

"Now I'm looking 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 that would will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels."