Credit: Twitter
The 2014 World Cup winner, Mesut Ozil has hung up his boots at the age of 34 after an amazing 17-year career, where he represented clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Schalke and Fenerbahce among others. The German playmaker on Wednesday announced his retirement from professional football on social media and set the internet abuzz.
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Ozil took to his official Twitter handle and shared a heartfelt message with his immediate retirement announcement. He wrote, "After thoughtful consideration, 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."
While the midfield tactician thanked his teammates, fans and previous clubs including Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Schalke, Arsenal and others, he is now looking forward to spend more time with his wife Amine, and daughters Eda and Ela.
Ozil made football look easy: Twitter reacts on the creative genius' retirement
After Ozil's retirement announcement, fans and football bodies offered their best wishes and thanked the German attacking midfielder for all the memories. Check some viral tweets:
In his 17-year-long career, Ozil won the FIFA World Cup in 2014, four FA Cup trophies, and one La Liga, Copa del Rey and German Cup. Ozil was signed by German side Schalke's youth team in 2005 and played for Schalke 04 until 2008 before moving to Werder Bremen. The attacking midfielder then joined Real Madrid in 2010, recording 27 goals and 81 assists in 159 appearances before Arsenal signed the playmaker in 2013.
At Arsenal, Ozil made 254 appearances from 2013 to 2021, and registered 44 goals and 79 assists. In his senior career, Ozil played 642 matches, scoring 114 goals and making 222 assists with 48 yellow cards and three direct sent offs.
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