German footballer Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from professional football after 17 years in the game. Here is a look at his career statistics.
Mesut Ozil announces retirement from professional football
The 34-year-old attacking midfielder took to social media to announce that after thoughtful consideration, he has officially hung up his boots, effective immediately.
“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional footballer for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football,” he said.
Ozil’s debut as a pro baller came in 2005 when Bundesliga club Schalke 04 promoted the then-17-year-old talent to the first team. While he only featured once that year, Ozil’s potential as a prolific playmaker was never in doubt.
Ozil made 30 appearances during his tenure at Schalke before he was head-hunted by Werder Bremen in 2008, where he blazed the trail at the centre of the park, attracting scouts from Europe’s top football clubs.
“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable memories and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends,” he wrote.
While careful to not reveal much about his post-retirement plans, Ozil did assure his fans they would “hear from [him] time to time on [his] social media channels.”
Mesut Ozil career statistics
Ozil’s stellar football career includes a total of 645 professional appearances at different clubs and 114 goals. The German wizard was not a netter. His talent lied in creating opportunities for goals and finding pockets of space in and behind the opposition’s defence.
Internationally, Ozil earned 92 caps for his country and scored 23 goals, including a sizzling streak of netters and assists that saw Germany lift the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Here is a list of Ozil’s honours:
Werder Bremen
- 2008-09: DFB-Pokal
Germany U21
- 2009: UEFA European U21 Championship
Real Madrid
- 2010-11: Copa del Rey
- 2011-12: La Liga
- 2012: Supercopa de Espana
Arsenal
- 2013-14: FA Cup
- 2014-15: FA Cup
- 2015: Community Shield
- 2016-17: FA Cup
- 2019-20: FA Cup
Germany
- 2014: FIFA World Cup
Take a look at Mesut Ozil’s stellar career statistics
| Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Schalke 04 | 39 | 1 | 5 |
| Werder Bremen | 108 | 16 | 54 |
| Real Madrid | 159 | 27 | 81 |
| Arsenal FC | 254 | 44 | 79 |
| Fenerbahce | 37 | 9 | 3 |
| Basaksehir FK | 7 | – | – |
Football fans react to Mesut’s retirement
Social media has been abuzz with tributes to Ozil from his clubs, fans and peers. Here are some of the reactions we picked out: