Arsenal and Germany midfielder, Mesut Ozil, has announced his retirement from international football after so much criticism from press and German fans due to bad World Cup performance and a controversial picture with the Turkish President.
He came under criticism after Germany failed to advance from group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the German press criticised him for his performance in Germany’s first defeat to Mexico, before being dropped for the victory over Sweden.
He was part of the squad that was victorious in Brazil 2014 but they fail to replicate the same performance in Russia falling victim to the “Defending Champion Curse”.
In an open letter posted on social media by the former Real Madrid player on Sunday, the 29-year old calls off his time on the international front and claimed it was due to ‘racism and disrespect’ he has been subjected to.
He wrote: “It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my teammates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany.
“But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda then enough is enough.“That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted.”
The first post was about his picture with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in May as he defended himself from the picture which landed him in hot waters as at that time.
While the second letter was directed at the German media, and hit out at them for blaming the picture and his dual-heritage for the nation’s poor World Cup performance.
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