WEBDESK: Former Germany and Arsenal Star, Mesut Ozil, who retired from professional football in 2023, was elected on Sunday to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkish President Erdogan.
The German-born 2014 world-cup winner became a member of the AKP’s central council at a congress in Ankara where Erdogan was re-elected as the party leader for the ninth time.
Ozil, who ended his career in Turkey in 2023, is a long-time Erdogan supporter and choose him to be his best man at his wedding with former Miss Turkey, Amine Gulse in 2019.
Back in 2017, Germany’s Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan had posed for a photo with Turkish president Erdogan. This caused controversy with the Germany right wing who asked that the two talented players be kicked off the team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Reinhard Grindel, who was the president of Germany’s football federation (DFB) at the time, criticized Mesut and other players for meeting the President claiming that they were being used for political gain by Erdoğan.
Mesut Ozil, who was previously referred to as a symbold of multicultural Germany, remained quiet initally before finally speaking up and accusing the German Football Assosciation of racism.
Ozil posted a four-page long message aimed at German Football Assosciation (DFB) bosses, sponsors and the media.
Ozil blamed the DFB management for failing to side with him saying, “In the eyes of the DFB and their supporters, I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
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