Mesut Ozil is one of the best players of his generation and was almost universally worshiped at his best, but has been prohibited by his former club due to his political affiliations.
Ozil retired from football two years ago, for the last time in the books in Basaksehir in Türkiye, having starred by Fenerbahce, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Werder Bremen in a historical career at the top.
Among the honors that the German international has in a trophy cabinet in explosion are a World Cup, LaLiga's title, the German Cup, four FA cups, two community shields, a Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, in addition to being appointed German footballer 2014-15 of the year.
However, since his retirement, Ozil has been found in the headlines on numerous occasions, and not only for his fitness videos that show his new more exaggerated frame.
Earlier this year, the former midfielder was appointed at the Central Decision and Management Board for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced the party.
Ozil's parents are Turks, and although he represented Germany in international football, he has a strong connection with his inheritance.
Mesut Ozil shared an image that shows a controversial tattoo in its left pectoral muscle
The gray wolf symbol (center) represents a group linked to ultrafiationalism and racism
He has now been chosen for the ruling party of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right)
However, last summer he showed a tattoo with a gray wolf and a flag with three crescent moon, symbols widely associated with extreme right -wing, ultra -editionalism and anti -Semitism. The group is prohibited in several countries.
As such, due to his alleged political affiliations, Ozil was out of the guest list for a Tribute of Werder Bremen for former player Diego Ribas, according to Bild.
“We have agreed with Diego who does not invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the values of the club,” said a spokesman.
The gray wolves, since its inception, had been linked to numerous violent acts, including an attempt to murder about Pope John Paul II in 1981, and some of its members have even been accused of murder.
Among the nations that have prohibited the activity of the gray wolves are France and Austria, the former did it after a monument to the Armenian genocide near Lyon was disfigured with Pro Turkish slogans in 2020.
Asked by the telegraph earlier this year if the tattoo in his chest was a reference to the gray wolves, Ozil's representatives did not respond, The exit has claimed.
Ozil is not the only player who has an affiliation reported with the controversial group.
Turkish defender Merih Demiral celebrated his goal in the European Championship of 2024 by making the symbol of a wolf with both hands, they gave him a prohibition of two games.
The former Arsenal star won four FA cups and two community shields, while with the gunners
Ozil is a long -term Erdogan supporter, after having chosen him as his godfather in 2019 for his wedding with a former Miss Türkiye, Amina Gulse (left)
Merih Demiraral received a prohibition of two UEFA games after making a wolf sign when celebrating a goal
After the game, the player said he has “a very strong feeling” for his country and is “tremendously proud to be Turkish.”
Ozil's own affiliations with Turkey have been well documented even before the end of their game days, particularly retiring from international football in 2018 after a photo of him and Ilkay Gunodgan, also German but of Turkish descent, who posed with President Erdogan was criticized.
The former Arsenal games creator said he had faced racism as a result of his inheritance while representing Germany, saying: “I am German when we won, but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
President Erdogan even acted as the godfather of Ozil when he married the Swedish model Amine Gulse in 2019.