Mesut Özil: A German Muslim footballer navigating triumphs and challenges
Özil broke barriers as a Turkish-German footballer but he also faced controversies off the pitch
ANKARA (MNTV) – Mesut Özil, the celebrated German Muslim footballer, recently joined Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as a member of its central decision and executive committee.
The announcement came during a party congress in Ankara where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected as party leader for the ninth time.
Özil’s close ties with Erdoğan have long been a subject of public scrutiny.
In 2019, Erdoğan served as the best man at Özil’s wedding to former Miss Turkey, Amine Gülşe.
A footballer of extraordinary talent, Özil’s illustrious career includes stints with clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Fenerbahçe.
He won the Spanish La Liga title, four English FA Cups, and was named German national team player of the year five times.
Özil also played a pivotal role in Germany’s 2014 FIFA World Cup victory, earning 92 caps for the national team.
However, his relationship with German football ended bitterly after the 2018 World Cup.
Following Germany’s early exit, Özil faced criticism for his meeting with Erdoğan, alongside fellow German-Turkish footballer İlkay Gündoğan.
Accusations of racial discrimination from the German media and the country’s football association (DFB) prompted his retirement from international football.
“I am German when we win, an immigrant when we lose,” Özil declared in a powerful statement, highlighting the challenges of his dual identity.
He accused the DFB of failing to defend him against racial abuse, stating, “The treatment I received makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt.”
Beyond football, Özil has been vocal on political and human rights issues.
In 2019, he condemned China’s repression of Uyghur Muslims, drawing backlash from Chinese authorities and a distancing response from his then-club, Arsenal.
Özil has also supported Azerbaijan in its conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and frequently spoken out for Palestinian rights, earning him praise and criticism in equal measure.
Özil’s transition from football legend to political figure reflects his evolving role as a public personality.
As a trailblazer for German Muslims and an advocate for global causes, his journey remains a powerful narrative of identity, resilience, and the intersection of sports and politics.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
