16.02.2025 13:50
Mesut Özil, who ended his football career in 2023, made statements that will be widely discussed regarding his career. He mentioned that he was not allowed to retire at Fenerbahçe and clarified why he did not choose the Turkish national team. Regarding Turkish football, Mesut said, "I feel sorry for the referees here. Sometimes our people take the easy way out and blame others after losing a match."
After playing for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, Mesut Özil, who ended his football career under the Başakşehir jersey on March 22, 2023, made striking statements about his career and Turkish football. The 36-year-old former footballer expressed his desire to have his farewell match at Fenerbahçe but stated that he was not allowed to do so, while also explaining why he did not choose the Turkish National Team.
"THERE'S NOTHING ARDA AND KENAN CAN'T ACHIEVE"
Mesut, who was the guest on the program "Face to Face with the Youth" aired on Vav TV, stated, "We need to support talents like Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız. Whether they play poorly or well, there is nothing they can't achieve when the people are behind them."
"I SEE MYSELF IN ARDA"
Speaking about national football player Arda Güler, who plays for Real Madrid, Mesut Özil said, "Right now, I am in a period where I don't enjoy football much. In my time, there were great names, but now I see Arda Güler as someone similar to myself."
WHY DIDN'T HE CHOOSE THE TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM?
The 36-year-old explained why he did not choose the Turkish National Team by saying, "I don't want to talk much about this. However, not everything is as it is told. Many different events happened during that time. It would be wrong to bring up old issues in today's context. However, the situation was not as some people say. I achieved a lot with the German National Team, and it would be disrespectful. My grandfather was one of the first to go to Germany. There was no language, no family, no money. You are alone, working, and your children grow up and get married. As a working-class family, you are pushed aside. It was hard to learn the language, but we never hid our Turkish identity," he clarified.
"THEY DIDN'T LET ME RETIRE AT FENERBAHÇE"
Özil, who stated that he wanted to retire at Fenerbahçe, said, "The reason I played at Fenerbahçe was this; after playing for a few years, I wanted to end my career at Fenerbahçe. But they didn't allow it. After that, I went to Başakşehir, and then my second child was born, I retired from football, and I'm glad I did. I retired to find peace and happiness, and I'm glad I did. I found peace and happiness."
JOSE MOURINHO'S WORDS
Speaking about Jose Mourinho, Mesut Özil said, "There was no one challenging me as a player, but as a team, it was very difficult to play against Barcelona in El Clasico. After signing my first contract in 2010, we lost 5-0 to Barcelona in Madrid, and we didn't see the ball. We lost 5-0, and everyone was sad in the locker room. We thought Jose Mourinho would be angry. He came in angrily and hit everyone on the back of the neck. 'Lift your heads, I knew you would lose. I promise you, if my name is Jose Mourinho, in the second year, we will crush them,' he said, and that's how it happened. Hopefully, he will do the same this year at Fenerbahçe."
"I PITY TURKISH REFEREES"
Speaking about Turkish referees, Mesut said, "I pity the referees here. It's a very difficult job; you can't make both sides happy! There is always a loser, may God make it easy for them. Sometimes our people take the easy way out, blaming others after losing the match. In Europe, the system is so established that big teams can win despite the referee. People should first look at themselves; it's unfair to blame only the referees! They are human too and can make mistakes. We need to embrace not just football but all sports and be united and together."
"I TOLD HIM I WOULD COME TO ARSENAL"
Mesut Özil, who transferred from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid in 2010 for 18 million euros, explained the offers he received besides the Spanish giant with the following words;
"Paris Saint Germain wanted me, Bayern Munich wanted me. Before going to Madrid, Wenger called me, but I said, 'Sorry, I got an offer from Real, I'm going there.' But I told him that if I left, I would come to Arsenal. And that's how it happened."