Tears after leaving Madrid
After the end of his career, Mesut Özil has no concrete plans for the future. “Honestly, I don’t know one hundred percent what will happen in the coming months and years,” said the German world champion of 2014 in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “Marca”. “I want to concentrate on my family here in Turkey for the time being.” After careful consideration, he made the decision to stop.
“I haven’t had many injuries during my career and I’ve always been fit, but the last few months (back injury followed by surgery; ed.) have been very difficult and tough. I couldn’t help my team on the pitch the way I wanted anymore. So I told Basaksehir what I think and we quickly found a solution,” said Özil.
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A coaching career is out of the question for the 34-year-old former midfield director. “At the moment I have no plans to become a coach or remain involved in football, to be honest.” The 92-time international, who celebrated his greatest success by winning the title at the finals in Brazil, wants to “enjoy the peace” for the time being. “Those who have followed my career know that I don’t really like being in front of the camera, giving interviews and being in the public eye.”
Özil revealed that before his transfer from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, he also considered a move to FC Barcelona. He really liked the Barça style. “But Jose Mourinho made the difference back then. ‘Mou’ gave me a VIP tour, he showed me the stadium and all the trophies they had won. I got goosebumps.” The visit to Barcelona was less nice. “Most disappointing was that (Barça manager at the time) Pep Guardiola didn’t even bother to meet me.”
Farewell to Real Madrid moved Özil to tears – at Schalke felt like “on the moon”.
In his 17-year professional career, Özil has played for FC Schalke 04, Bremen, Madrid and Arsenal, as well as for Fenerbahce Istanbul and Basaksehir in his parents’ country. The highlight, however, was the World Championship final. “The night in Rio was the best I’ve experienced in my football career.” Leaving Madrid in the summer of 2013 was particularly difficult for him. “That was very hard for me. When the plane took off, tears came to my eyes. That was the moment I realized it was over.”
S04, SVW & Co.
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The first steps in the men’s area with the Royal Blues were special for Özil. “When I signed my first professional contract with Schalke and played my first games in the Bundesliga, I felt like I was on the moon. Everything after that, like playing for Real Madrid and winning the World Cup, was just an extra, albeit an incredible and wonderful extra,” said the ex-playmaker, who has the highest market value of his career – €50m – recorded in the summer of 2013. In total, the left-footed player, who has played the most games at club level for Arsenal (254), has spent €70m on transfers. Only four professionals have managed more assists than Özil since 2000 (259 in 652 games).
Özil in the top 5: most templates since 2000
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