Did Ozil’s end really begin just one month before the World Cup? \u00a0Certainly no one could have foreseen Ozil’s unceremonious parting with The German National Team four years ago when Germany lifted the Cup. \u00a0Ozil first shone for Germany at the 2010 World Cup where they finished third. \u00a0Shortly after Ozil rocketed to stardom with a transfer to giants Real Madrid, where he established himself as the assist king to Christiano Ronaldo. \u00a0In 2014 he played an integral part in Germany coming back to the greatest sporting event on Earth to win the tournament. \u00a0And in the build up to the 2018 World cup Ozil was again instrumental in helping Germany qualify for the tournament with an undefeated record. \u00a0At 29 years of age, Ozil was felt to be in his prime and much was expected of him in Russia. \u00a0But in the end Germany fell short, losing group stage games to Mexico and South Korea, and barely squeaking past Sweden. \u00a0The unthinkable had materialized with Germany being knocked out in the group stages, and Germany as a nation needed an explanation, someone to blame. \u00a0Joachim Low was the obvious target, and he has taken his share of the criticism, much of it around team selection including his loyalty to Mesut Ozil. \u00a0But Ozil too had set himself up nicely as a target to share the disfavour of the German public.<\/p>\n
Mesut Ozil had a down season with Arsenal leading up to the World Cup. \u00a0A divisive figure at the best of times, considered a game changer by some and a non starter for others, the 2017\/18 season gave his critics ample area to focus. \u00a0 Regardless, Joachim Low started Mesut Ozil in Germany’s first game of the World Cup against Mexico. \u00a0And although the Germans dominated possession and outshot their opponents almost two to one, Ozil did not figure prominently. \u00a0Ozil was on the bench for the narrow victory against Sweden, but his replacement, Julian Draxler, had not shown himself capable either and was withdrawn early in the second half. \u00a0Ozil started the third match against South Korea, but again went missing, and the loss to the tiny Asian country was a national embarrassment.<\/p>\n
Which brings us back to the month before the World Cup began.<\/p>\n
In mid May President Erdogan of Turkey was in London where he met with Mesut Ozil, Ilkay Gundogan, and Cenk Tosun. \u00a0The picture below shows Ozil holding his Arsenal Jersey with Erdogan, and although there were no words to suggest Ozil’s endorsement of Erdogan’s re-election bid, it is easy to understand how the gesture could elicit political undertones.
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>