Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has revealed that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was his idol as a player.

Ozil told French magazine Surface: “Everyone knows what a fantastic player he was. When I was younger, he was always my idol. I always wanted to be like him.” 

The Germany international of Turkish origin revealed that he was mesmerized by Zidane as a player and how effortless his game was.

“It seemed so easy when he was on the ball, and I always wanted to be like him,” he added.

Ozil has developed into a player that also makes the most complex skills and passes look simple and like Zidane has also lifted the world cup.

The Arsenal play-maker did of course play for Real before making his move to London but never played alongside Zidane.

The former French international of Algerian origin took over at Real midway through the first half of the season and his side are currently third in the league just one point behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal meanwhile are third in the Premier League three points behind second-placed London rivals Tottenham however, unlike Real they are out of the title race as Leicester City already clinched the championship.