New Delhi: Former Germany and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has stepped into politics, joining Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The announcement came during a congress in Ankara, where Erdogan was re-elected as party leader.
Ozil, who retired from football in 2023, has long been a supporter of Erdogan. The 2014 World Cup winner ended his club career in Istanbul and has maintained strong ties with Turkey. His close relationship with the Turkish president was highlighted in 2019 when he chose Erdogan as the best man at his wedding to former Miss Turkey, Amine Gülşe.
A controversial political move
Mesut Ozil, the former German national team midfielder and World Cup champion, enters politics by joining the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party https://t.co/314wmoMi5c
— Bloomberg (@business) February 24, 2025
Mesut Ozil’s decision to align with Erdogan’s AKP has sparked debate, given his history with both German and Turkish football. His ties to Erdogan have been criticised in the past, especially after he and Ilkay Gundogan, both of Turkish origin, posed for a photo with the Turkish leader before the 2018 World Cup. That image led to backlash in Germany, with Ozil facing accusations of disloyalty.
Following the controversy, Ozil retired from the German national team, accusing the German Football Association (DFB) of racism. He felt abandoned by the DFB, particularly its then-president Reinhard Grindel, and released a strong statement saying, “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
Ozil’s move into politics marks a new chapter in his career. While some see it as a natural transition given his longstanding support for Erdogan, others believe it will only add to the discussions surrounding his legacy. With his election to the AKP’s central council, the former Real Madrid and Arsenal star is now stepping into a different kind of spotlight—one that could be just as intense as the one he faced on the pitch.
Mesut Ozil has entered politics, joining Turkish President Erdogan’s AKP party. The former Germany and Arsenal star, long a supporter of Erdogan, now takes on a new role beyond football. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
