NEW DELHI: Footballers of age 29 retire only if forced by poor fitness; but that isn't the case with Germany's
Mesut Ozil
. His retirement has more to do with politics, and Germany's social fissures.
ALSO READ: Why Mesut Ozil turned his back on GermanyOzil was part of the German team that suffered an embarrassing exit at the recent Fifa World Cup.
Though a collective failure of the team, in Ozil a section of German media and politicians found a perfect scapegoat.
Ozil quit Germany after scoring 23 goals in 92 international appearances, having been a key component of the 2014 World Cup-winning side.
Ozil's ability to split defences with a single pass singled him out as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.
Born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, Ozil's talents were discovered by local club Schalke, whom he left for Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen in 2008.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mesut Ozil in London. (AP Photo)ALSO READ: Mesut Ozil, citing 'racism', quits Germany side after World Cup debacleWhat about Ozil rankles themOzil is born and brought up in Germany, but is of Turkish ancestry. Ozil, and fellow German footballer Ilkay Gundogan-also of Turkish ancestry-had met and posed for pictures with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the latter's visit to London in May. (The two play in English
Premier League).
Erdogan is a controversial leader, and the meeting was held just ahead of the Turkish elections-which Erdogan won later to give him sweeping powers-and some in Germany saw that as endorsement of the politician.
The incident, and German team's World Cup debacle, provided the German right, who is opposing
Angela Merkel's immigration policy, an opportunity to push their agenda; and social media helped fuel the fire.
What nowOzil has published three long letters explaining his stand, and criticising the political situation-and Germany is divided on the subject. Expect this football retirement to reverberate in German parliament too.
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