Named Germany’s player of the year on five occasions, Özil played in all his country’s World Cup games in 20, when he was an instrumental part of the team that beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2014 final. He failed to win more silverware in the final two years of his career in Turkey and had limited playing time with Başakşehir due to injury problems. Having arrived in North London for a then club-record fee of $54.8 million, Özil scored 44 goals in 254 appearances for Arsenal but was frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s squad in his final season, despite reportedly being one of the team’s highest-paid earners. Tim Ireland/AP/FILEĪt Arsenal, his 19 assists in the Premier League during the 2015/16 season is one shy of the league record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Özil played club football in Germany, Spain, England and Turkey during his career. He developed a reputation as a superb passer and playmaker, recording at least 20 assists in each of his three seasons with Madrid. Starting his club career in Germany with Schalke and Werder Bremen, Özil spent three years at Real Madrid and eight with Arsenal before moving to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe and, most recently, İstanbul Başakşehir. “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.” “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredible thankful for the opportunity,” Özil wrote on social media. He was also part of the Germany squad at the 2010, 20 World Cups and scored 23 goals in 92 appearances for his country. Once regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position, Özil won the La Liga title with Real Madrid in 2012 and four FA Cup titles with Arsenal between 20. Mesut Özil, the Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, has announced his retirement from professional football aged 34.
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