Mesut Özil: German-Turkish association footballer

Mesut Özil

Özil in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Mesut Özil
Date of birth	(1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 (age 35)
Place of birth	Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1995–1998	Westfalia 04 Gelsenkirchen
1998–1999	Teutonia Schalke-Nord
1999–2000	Falke Gelsenkirchen
2000–2005	Rot-Weiss Essen
2005–2006	Schalke 04
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005	Schalke 04 II	1	(0)
2006–2008	Schalke 04	30	(0)
2008–2010	Werder Bremen	71	(13)
2010–2013	Real Madrid	105	(19)
2013–2021	Arsenal	184	(33)
2021–2022	Fenerbahçe	32	(8)
2022–2023	İstanbul Başakşehir	4	(0)
Total		427	(73)
National team
2006–2007	Germany U19	11	(4)
2007–2009	Germany U21	16	(5)
2009–2018	Germany	92	(23)
Honours Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa Team Winner 2014 Brazil Team UEFA European Championship 2012 Poland-Ukraine Team UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2009 Sweden Team
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Özil is often praised for his skill at being an attacking midfielder. He is known for making lots of assists. In 2011, he made the second most assists with Real Madrid in La Liga with 17 and the most assists in major European competitions with 25.

Schalke 04

In 2005, he went to the youth department of FC Schalke 04. He was a midfielder, and his number was 17. He soon played in the Ligapokal, against teams such as FC Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. He was thought to be the "next big thing," but soon left the club.

Werder Bremen

In 2008, Mesut Özil moved to Werder Bremen for a reported amount of €4.3 million, signing a contract with the German club until June 30, 2011. He soon became popular in the club, leading them to the 2009 DFB-Pokal final with the winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen. He helped the team make it to the UEFA Cup, but lost to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real Madrid

 

Because of his impressive performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he made his place as one of the best young football athletes in Europe. Teams such as FC Barcelona, Manchester United. and Arsenal wanted him in their squad. Werder Bremen made an agreement with Real Madrid. The transfer amount was believed to be near €15 million. After signing, Özil said, "When the offer came in to join Real Madrid, there is no decision to make. Let's be honest – you don't refuse this club. I was in no rush to leave Werder Bremen, but this is one club you say yes to. They are an institution, a club with a fantastic history, stadium and squad full of world-class players. The prospect of performing at the Bernabeu is so awesome you jump straight in."

His first game was against Hércules, which the team won the game 3-1. His first goal was against Deportivo de La Coruña, which the team won 6-1.

Mesut Özil performed many assists, and in the 2011-12 season he was nominated for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. Real Madrid maintained its success, and finished in 1st place in the 2011-12 La Liga.

Arsenal

Ozil joined Arsenal in September 2013 at a transfer fee believed to be around €50 million. His first game for Arsenal was against Sunderland in which the team won 3-1, with him making an assist. He was a top performer in his first season, however his form has went down since then.

Club