Is It Because Am Turkish Or A Muslim?

Antonney Oduor

He is one of the most talented players on the planet but Mesut Ozil is no longer seen as one of the best players in the world. How did he end from being a hero to zero?

At Real Madrid Ozil was incredible. There he succeeded to become one of the best playmakers in football history. This guy was capable of doing things that others couldn’t even dream of. At the same time, he was also shining for Germany. He even won the 2014 World cup, probably you like everyone else thought he was brilliant. Unfortunately, Ozil’s career took a turn from bad to worse.

To be honest, Mesut has his flaws, serious flaws. He never seemed to give his best on the pitch which is partly why Real Madrid sold him to Arsenal in 2014. After this transfer, he was never the same. Of course, he shows us his class every now and then but he doesn’t the consistency to be part of the Elite. In the resulting time spent on the bench, Ozil lost his place in the starting lineup in his final season.

Considering his talent, he should be the best player at the club but Mesut drags his feet, he has not shown a lot. Mesut is seen to have no absolute motivation which is unforgivable at his level.

In Germany Ozil is also heavily critiqued but this time for reasons which go far beyond football. After the 2018 World Cup, he announced he didn’t want to play for Germany anymore.

‘It’s with a heavy heart and much thinking about recent events, that I have decided that I will no longer play for Germany as long I experience this racism and disrespect.’ Mesut Ozil 2018.

Before the competition, Ozil had his photo taken with Turkish president Erdogan. This picture caused a huge uproar in Germany. Mesut went further and invited Erdogan to be a witness at his wedding. That was an insult to the German government.

Read More: The Football I Grew Up Playing Is No More

‘It saddens us. That things ended this way, while his first meeting with Erdogan provoked a similar reaction with the German Public, this is extremely disappointing.’ German Government 2018.

Ozil seemed to completely blacklisted in Germany. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who hold a grudge against him.

‘I am treated differently to others. Is it because am Turkish? Is it because am Muslim?’ Ozil 2018 via Twitter.

What if this disillusionment is hurting him more than he leaves on?