Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil took to social media today to big up his fellow Germany international players of Turkish origin – Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and Borussia Dortmund midfielder İlkay Gündoğan.
Özil described Can, Gündoğan as well as himself as being ‘three brave-hearts’ ahead of the Euro 2016 Group D clash against Scotland on Monday 7 September.
The full caption read: “Three bravehearts for #Glasgow! 😁 #Scotland is a tough team to play but let’s try to stay on top of the group! ⚽ #SCOGER #europeanqualifiers.”
Özil, Can and Gündoğan are all part of the Turkish community of Germany which has an estimated population of 3-4 million.
All three players were eligible to represent both their country of birth – Germany – and the country their parents originate from – Turkey.
The Turkish national team also has several players born in Germany who opted to play for the Crescent Stars such as Bayer Leverkusen star Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Dortmund midfielder Nuri Şahin and Beşiktaş winger Gökhan Töre.
Özil and Gündoğan were both raised in the German city of Gelsenkirchen as were Turkish internationals the Altıntop twins and Kaan Ayhan.
Between them the Gelsenkirchen Turkish crew have won just about every domestic title in Germany and Spain as well as the World Cup, FA Cup and Turkish Süper Lig.
