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Mesut Özil - Player Profile

Mesut Özil - Player Profile

Mesut Özil - Player Profile

What do we know about Mesut Özil?

Mesut Özil’s ‘career’ started at the age of just seven. He played for Westfalia 04 in Gelsenkirchen, which is the German city where he was born in 1988. He later played for other youth teams in Germany before making his debut as a senior player with Schalke 04.

Mesut Özil signed for Arsenal from Real Madrid.

After making 30 appearances for Schalke 04, he signed for Werder Bremen where he played 71 times and scored 13 goals. He scored the winner in the 2009 German Cup Final to give Bremen their sixth German Cup. He also helped Bremen reach the UEFA Cup final.

Why did Özil leave Germany?

In 2010, Özil moved to Real Madrid for €15 million. Özil said it was an easy decision to move to Spain: "When the offer came in to join Real Madrid, there was no decision to make. Let's be honest – you don't refuse this club. This is one club you say yes to.” During his time with Real Madrid, Özil played over 100 games and scored 19 goals. Some other highlights were:

  • In 2010-11, Özil made 25 assists, which was more than any other player in a major European league.
  • In 2011-12, he was short-listed for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award.
  • In 2011-12, he helped Real Madrid win their 32nd league title.
  • Özil created the most goals in the Spanish league in both 2011-12 (17) and 2012-13 (26).

What is Özil's style of play?

One nickname Özil had at Real Madrid was:‘The New Zidane’. His style of play is very similar to that of the former French international star: superb close control of the ball, quick thinking and immaculate passing. He can score goals but his special skill is helping others to score. When he left Madrid to join Arsenal, team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo said: "He was the player who knew my moves in front of goal best. I'm angry about Özil leaving."

Why did Özil leave Madrid?

 Özil celebrates a goal for Germany.

After two good years at Real Madrid with coach José Mourinho, Özil moved to Arsenal in September 2013 for £42.5 million, a record for a German player. He felt that he was not wanted at the Spanish giants: “I was certain I would stay at Real Madrid, but I did not have the faith of the coach [Carlo Ancelotti]. I am a player who needs faith. This is what I feel from Arsenal, which is why I joined." Özil was welcomed at the club by three other German players: Per Mertesacker, Thomas Eisfeld and Lukas Podolski.

Has Özil made a difference to the Arsenal team?

Özil has made a great start for Arsenal. He has scored 5 goals in only 26 appearances and created a number of goals for the team. Arsenal made their best start to a Premier League season for many years and Özil was part of that.

Which country does Özil play for?

Özil plays for Germany and has made over 50 appearances for them, scoring 18 goals.

In modern football, there are many players who are eligible to play for more than one country. Özil could have played for Germany or Turkey but chose Germany: "I am third generation in Germany: my father grew up there. Turkey will always be a special country for me but I have never doubted my decision to play for Germany." There are around 1.7 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany – the largest ethnic minority in the country.

What do we know about Özil outside of football?

Mesut Özil is a practising Muslim, and recites the Quran before matches. "I always do that before I go out on the pitch. I pray and my team-mates know that they cannot talk to me during this period." An important time for Muslims is the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. But for footballers, this can be problematic. Özil says: "Because of my job I cannot follow Ramadan properly. I do it only when I have free days. It's impossible, because you have to eat and drink a lot to stay fit."

Did you know...........?

  • At Real Madrid, one of Özil's nicknames was 'Nemo' (after the fish in the film 'Finding Nemo').
  • Özil was top scorer for Germany in their qualification campaign for the World Cup in Brazil, with 9 goals.
  • In 2010, Özil received a BAMBI award for being a good example of successful integration in German society.
  • Özil has his own logo which includes the letter 'O' and the two dots ¨ which are used in the first letter of his surname. 
Mesut Ozil is a star player for Germany and Arsenal, Getty.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?

Choose the best option.

Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

Put the questions together.

Put the different words together to create questions.

Activity 2: In this activity, practise question forms. Have a go at the game and see how quickly you can put the questions together. When you finish, try again and see if you can do it faster!

 


Arsenal's Ozil celebrates with Chelsea's Schurrle, Getty.

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What do you think?

Mesut Özil started playing when he was 7 years old.

Mesut Özil started playing youth team football at only 7 years old. 

Do you think this is a good age to start playing for a club? When did you start playing football?
Let us know in the comments section below.

 

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
14/01/2023
TR
5558
points

Sentences
• Eligible nominees were short-listed for staff of month because of being immaculate on the job.
• Turkish descents who were workers in Germany became businesswoman and businessman who pay considerable amount of taxes.
Note
• Islam take care of easiness. It's possible to fast out of holy Ramadan month if there is compulsory case like being footballer.


hsn's picture
hsn
14/01/2023 15:24
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5558

Sentences
• Eligible nominees were short-listed for staff of month because of being immaculate on the job.
• Turkish descents who were workers in Germany became businesswoman and businessman who pay considerable amount of taxes.
Note
• Islam take care of easiness. It's possible to fast out of holy Ramadan month if there is compulsory case like being footballer.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
02/06/2021
BR
1512
points

I think there isn't an "ideal age" to start playing football as long as it brings you happiness and fun and it gets serious as the years goes by. I started playing football when I was 9.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
02/06/2021 21:03
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

I think there isn't an "ideal age" to start playing football as long as it brings you happiness and fun and it gets serious as the years goes by. I started playing football when I was 9.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
19/06/2020
TR
6539
points

I started playing football at the same age at 7 and lots of friends have mentioned that my playing style is very similar to Mesut Özil and Juan Mata and I'm so proud of that honestly.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
19/06/2020 18:00
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I started playing football at the same age at 7 and lots of friends have mentioned that my playing style is very similar to Mesut Özil and Juan Mata and I'm so proud of that honestly.

kirito2001
01/12/2017
VN
180
points

I play football when I only 5 years old

 


kirito2001
01/12/2017 13:33
Vietnam
Manchester United
180

I play football when I only 5 years old

 

mark henry john cena's picture
mark henry john cena
22/11/2017
SG
6
points

No.He may not do well in his education.I started playing soccer at 7 years  old.


mark henry john cena's picture
mark henry john cena
22/11/2017 08:06
Singapore
Manchester United
6

No.He may not do well in his education.I started playing soccer at 7 years  old.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,absolutely.I started to playfootbal at 6 year old.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
22/03/2016 00:49
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,absolutely.I started to playfootbal at 6 year old.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Yes it is.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
27/02/2016 10:51
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes it is.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
27/11/2015
ME
3557
points

I thought that there are certain limits to make big success in your career. I mean, if you don't make it untill your 20, it is almost impossible to become a professional player. But, recently when I read an article of J.Vardie who became famous at his 23, I believe everything is still possible! Darn that dream..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
27/11/2015 23:38
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I thought that there are certain limits to make big success in your career. I mean, if you don't make it untill your 20, it is almost impossible to become a professional player. But, recently when I read an article of J.Vardie who became famous at his 23, I believe everything is still possible! Darn that dream..

mkoriev
08/11/2015
UZ
813
points

When he was in Real Madrid he was one of my favorite footballer not only he was excellent player but also because of he was muslim. I liked his game very much. He always showed the best skills of footballer. It's really pity to say but in his last season in Madrid he wasn't so active. Maybe it's because as he mentioned he wasn't so close with the manager, I don't know. But I know that he started to spend his time in parties at the night clubs.
I think it's good for him to move to London and I hope there he will become a key footballer!


mkoriev
08/11/2015 06:21
Uzbekistan
Manchester City
813

When he was in Real Madrid he was one of my favorite footballer not only he was excellent player but also because of he was muslim. I liked his game very much. He always showed the best skills of footballer. It's really pity to say but in his last season in Madrid he wasn't so active. Maybe it's because as he mentioned he wasn't so close with the manager, I don't know. But I know that he started to spend his time in parties at the night clubs.
I think it's good for him to move to London and I hope there he will become a key footballer!

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015
ME
3557
points

It is perfect age to start playing football. I started at 10.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
02/11/2015 18:37
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

It is perfect age to start playing football. I started at 10.

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015
BR
1339
points

Okay!!!!


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
26/10/2015 18:10
Brazil
Chelsea
1339

Okay!!!!

kcufs
21/01/2014
0
points

I'm sure Mesut Ozil is playing a central role at Gunners for this season.
His quick adaptation to the team is amazing.
I hope he will lead Arsenal to the champion!


kcufs
21/01/2014 10:55


0

I'm sure Mesut Ozil is playing a central role at Gunners for this season.
His quick adaptation to the team is amazing.
I hope he will lead Arsenal to the champion!

HITHAM OSMAN
31/12/2013
0
points

Mesut Ozil will be one of the best stars in premier league . and I am so happy because he played with my favorite club arsenal.


HITHAM OSMAN
31/12/2013 12:49


0

Mesut Ozil will be one of the best stars in premier league . and I am so happy because he played with my favorite club arsenal.

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Goals

In this article, you will:

• Practise reading.

• Learn about Mesut Özil.