The controversy surrounding Mesut Ozil's exit from the German national team doesn't appear to be dying down anytime soon, as criticism continues to fly by his way. The latest came from Uli Hoeness, who rehashed his war-of-words with the midfielder.
The Arsenal playmaker grabbed headlines after retiring from international football, citing "racism" and "disrespect" from the German FA. The "Assist King" felt he was used as a scapegoat for die Mannschaft's embarrassing group-stage exit at the World Cup due to his unpopular meeting Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
This decision to hang up his boots and call out the DFB over his treatment was hailed by many, but not everyone appreciated it. Hoeness was one of them, claiming Ozil had been "s*** for years" and that his retirement is a good thing.
The 29-year-old's agent issued a fiery response but that has not deterred the Bayern Munich official from launching a scathing new attack of the former Real Madrid ace.
"We would have been spared the whole theatre," Hoeness told Sky Sports Germany, as per the Daily Mirror.
"Ozil should have been forced to make a statement. But leaving that without explanation was probably the biggest mistake ever.
"I've been watching the player for a long time and he's a well-marketed product whose image is a lot better than he is, which is the only big blame for me.
"Had Low gone to Arsenal more often in London and looked at him properly, he probably would not have taken him for sporting reasons.
"It is a miracle that he is now [a] captain at Arsenal."
Ozil's hopes of starting the season a new man hasn't gone well, as he has disappointed in the Gunners' opening two Premier League games in 2018/19. The midfielder will be keen on stepping up his game to impress new boss Unai Emery.
