Mesut Ozil who won nine trophies during his club career and the outstanding World Cup with Germany in 2014 has retired from football at the age of 34.
“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions, I have had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity,” Ozil said in a statement.
“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”
Having already made his national debut for the senior side at age 20, Ozil was named Germany player of the year five times and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, as well as winning the 2014 World Cup.