Arsenal star Mesut Ozil may be one of the most recognized names in world football today but he had to overcome a lot of prejudice to initially get recognized.
Ozil revealed that being a young Turk in Germany meant he had to jump over more barriers than he would have had he been ethnic German.
The Gunners playmaker told the Hurriyet newspaper: “I remember clearly during trials when I was between the ages of 10-12 that there was prejudice.
“Nobody could do what I did at the trials but I would never get picked.
“It was always the same names getting picked, the Matthias’, Markus’ and Michael’s.
“Even though they were not at my level they would always get picked.
“It was always the case.
“Having a name like Mesut and coming from where I was from meant having to work harder.
“But what is important is where I am now and actually it is more rewarding to overcome the odds and have succeeded after struggling.”
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Ozil grew up in a rough neighborhood of Gelsenkirchen known as Bismarck.
The 29-year-old was the son of Turkish migrants from the Zonguldak region of north-western Turkey.
The Germany international even has a street named after him in his families town of Devrek.
Ozil opted to play for Germany at international level but was also eligible to represent the Turkish national side.
The playmaker is one of four ethnic Turks born in Germany in the Premier League.
The others being Everton striker Cenk Tosun, Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan.
Tosun plays for Turkey while Can and Gundogan represent Germany.
