Mesut Özil has been one of the top playmakers in the world since announcing himself on the global stage in the 2010 FIFA World Cup when he was nominated for the Golden Ball award. Özil has played for Real Madrid for three seasons before completing a big money £42.5 million move to Arsenal couple of years back.
The German is one of the assist leaders in European football over the last five seasons and is an important member in the Arsenal side looking to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League this term. But, apart from his on-field abilities, how well do you know your star playmaker, Gunners fans?
Let’s take a look at five unknown facts about the German maestro.
A religious man!
Özil is a devout Muslim and adheres to his religion whenever possible.
Not only does the former Real Madrid man recite the Quran before every match but also a fast during the Ramadan month as much as his sporting commitments allow.
Speaks four languages!
And then there are people who claim footballers are not intelligent.
Apart from Turkish and German, Özil picked up Spanish really well during his time in Spain and is rather fluent in the English language too. And unless he decides to hang out with a few blokes from Merseyside in which case he will need to know regional accents, language wouldn’t be an issue during his time in England.
Friendship with Sergio Ramos!
There were reports in the media that Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘unhappy’ with the sale of Özil to Arsenal. While it turns out, his anger may have been motivated due to financial reasons, Sergio Ramos and Mesut Özil were best buddies on and off the field.
Their bromance was famous in Madrid – they got their hair cut at the same time from the same salon and in the same style, they hung out together all the time and Ramos wrote a very touching tribute to his former teammate when the transfer to Arsenal was announced.
And what better way to prove your friendship than to wear Özil’s No.10 shirt underneath his jersey as a show of support for the German after he was dropped by Jose Mourinho.
Dating a German popstar!
Özil is dating German popstar Mandy Capristo and the couple are rumored to be the David and Victoria Beckham of Germany.
And Capristo moved in with the Arsenal superstar when he traded Madrid for London and said, “We are in a partnership, partners in crime, so to speak. We share the same sense of humor and we take our relationship very seriously.”
Declined to play for Turkey!
Özil was offered the opportunity to play for Turkey on the international scene, but he chose Germany and represented them at junior levels before making his senior debut in February 2009.
And he took the World Cup in 2010 by storm with a goal and three assists, including an assist for Thomas Mueller to put the game against England beyond doubt.
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