Germany’s football World Cup-winning midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement on March 22, 2023, at the age of 34.
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“I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football. 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 said in a statement on his social media accounts on Wednesday.
“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.”
Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Aqr4pB5SI2
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— Mesut Özil (@M10) March 22, 2023
Ozil thanked his fans who have “shown him so much love no matter the circumstances and which club I was representing”.
Mesut Özil is the recipient of the most German Player of the Year awards (5). He was the top assist provider at both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA Euros, where he helped Germany reach the semi-finals both times.
Despite helping Germany win the FIFA World Cup in 2014, Zil retired from international competition in 2018, citing discrimination and disrespect from the German Football Association (DFB) and the German media.
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