# Sports

Mesut Ozil issues extraordinary statement confirming international retirement, slams DFB, German media

The 29-year-old’s is not holding back and believes he’s a soft target in Germany due to his Turkish heritage.

SNS | New Delhi | July 23, 2018 10:18 am

Mesut Ozil issues extraordinary statement confirming international retirement, slams DFB, German media

Germany and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has kicked up a fresh storm on social media with his announcement that he will be retiring from international football while slamming the DFB and the German media in an incendiary Instagram post.

The 29-year-old set the ball rolling on Sunday with a post defending his controversial meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, but the two posts that followed sent shockwaves around the world.

While Germany had a calamitous 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign, Ozil is still in his footballing peak and most players do not announce their international retirement until they cross 30 at least.

DON’T MISS | Mesut Ozil defends controversial meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdogan

However, Ozil’s retirement announcement may be overshadowed by his comments on the DFB, its president and the German media.

Here’s the first post, in which he explains his reasoning behind meeting Erdogan in May:

The past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect, and time to think over the events of the last few months. Consequently, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about what has happened.

A post shared by Mesut Özil (@m10_official) on Jul 22, 2018 at 3:57am PDT

Ozil, who is of Turkish descent and is a practising Muslim, then went on to claim that because of his ancestry and religion, he’s unfairly criticised by most German media outlets.

Here’s the second part of his statement, where he takes aim at the German press and accuses them of double standards:

II / III

A post shared by Mesut Özil (@m10_official) on Jul 22, 2018 at 6:06am PDT

If that wasn’t enough, Ozil certainly left the best/worst for the last as he took aim at the DFB and its president, Reinhard Grindel.

Ozil was, however, all praises for German President Frank Walter-Steinmeir, Germany coach Joachim Loew and German national team media manager Olivier Bierhoff.

The third and final part of the statement:

III / III

A post shared by Mesut Özil (@m10_official) on Jul 22, 2018 at 11:08am PDT

After a short vacation, Ozil has reported for pre-season training with club Arsenal.

He’s currently in Singapore with the rest of his club teammates as the Gunners look to get the Unai Emery era off to a smooth start with their summer tour of Asia.