Mesut Özil

Mesut Özil — Biography

Mesut Özil (born 15 October 1988 in Gelsenkirchen) is a German former professional footballer of Turkish descent who played as an attacking midfielder. Renowned for his ball control, vision and passing range, he is regarded as one of the finest playmakers of his generation.

Özil began his senior career at his hometown club Schalke 04 in 2006 before moving to Werder Bremen in 2008. His displays at the 2010 World Cup prompted a transfer to Real Madrid, where he won a La Liga title. In 2013 he joined Arsenal for a fee that made him the most expensive German player of the time, going on to make more than 250 appearances for the London club. He signed for Fenerbahçe on a free transfer in 2021, moved to İstanbul Başakşehir after his Fenerbahçe contract was terminated in 2022, and retired from playing in March 2023.

Over nine years with the German national team, Özil earned 92 caps, scoring 23 goals and providing 40 assists, and was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup. He stepped away from international football in 2018, citing alleged discrimination by the German Football Association and German media. Married to model Amine Gülşe, Özil returned to Turkish football in a new capacity in mid-2026, partnering with Çaykur Rizespor's youth academy.