Midfielder Mesut Ozil has been urged by his father to retire from international football after being used as a scapegoat for Germany’s misfortunes at the World Cup.
The Arsenal star started two of Germany’s games but was dropped against Sweden as the 2014 champions crashed out in a shocking group stage exit. Özil has 92 caps for Germany, has scored 23 goals and helped them lift the World Cup four years ago, but his father, Mustafa, claimed that the midfielder is “offended” by the way he is treated by the national fans, who criticised his individual performances, amongst many, in this summer’s failed tournament.
“If I were in his place, I would say: ‘Thank you, but that’s enough,’” Mustafa told German newspaper BILD. “He’s bent, disappointed and offended, yes offended. His own fans booed him before the World Cup at the International in Austria and he cannot understand why.”
Özil scored in Germany’s pre-tournament friendly against Austria but was booed by fans in the 2-1 defeat, along with Ilkay Gundogan. The pair were also caught up in off-field controversy when they were pictured with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.