Themenbereiche: Germany, Mesut Ozil, Tayyip Erdogan
The midfielder has called it quits with Die Mannschaft.

After 92 caps including winning the 2014 World Cup, Mesut Ozil has brought his international career to a surprise end. The Arsenal midfielder who participated in Germany's disappointing campaign at Russia 2018 took to Twitter to release a string of posts underlining the motive behind his decision.

Not too long ago, the 29-year-old midfielder came under heavy criticism from the German media after a photograph of him and President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan circulated on the internet. The reproach painted Ozil as someone who supports the political agenda of Erdogan, one perceived as an ardent critic of Germany.

Having remained mute on the matter since, the midfielder finally broke his silence and took to Twitter to explain how he was disrespected by German officials, consequently revealing his decision to retire. An excerpt reads as follows:

"The treatment I have received from the DFB & many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt. I feel unwanted & think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.

"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.

"I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my teammates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany.

"But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda, then enough is enough. That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted."