Mesut Özil ended his international soccer career with a damning attack on the German FA, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB).
Released on social media, his four-page statement announcing his retirement excoriated Reinhard Glinner, a former right-wing politician in the German parliament.
The past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect, and time to think over the events of the last few months. Consequently, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about what has happened. pic.twitter.com/WpWrlHxx74
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
II / III pic.twitter.com/Jwqv76jkmd
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
III / III pic.twitter.com/c8aTzYOhWU
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018
The statement lays bare the player’s division with the DFB but also those within German society.
There is an element of tragedy, as well as farce, about the situation. Players expect criticism from fans and the media. However, the DFB empowered critics, exposing Özil and his family to horrendous abuse.
It leaves the midfielder to focus on his club career with Arsenal, based in north London. He returned to pre-season training this weekend and flew with the rest of the squad to Singapore. There, they face Atletico Madrid and Paris St-Germain in the International Champions Cup event.
Meanwhile, his club benefits. Özil will no longer feature during the international breaks which interrupt the soccer season. As a result, a fully-rested Özil may propel the Gunners into the top four of the English Premier League and with that comes a return to the UEFA Champions League in 2019.
