Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is one of the most recognized footballers on the face of the planet.
The playmaker of Turkish origin also happens to be one of the most highly paid players in football, a far cry from his humble origins.
Ozil revealed that he grew up in poverty with his mother working 12 hours a day over two shifts as a cleaner and his father struggling to make ends meet during periods of unemployment.
“I came from nothing, my mother was a cleaner at a school working two shifts from 07:00 to 16:00 in the day and 19:00 to 22:00 in the evening but I never heard her moaning or complaining,” Ozil was quoted as saying in the Fanatik.
“At times I felt alone.
“My mother suffered back problems because of her work.
“She gave everything for us, sacrificed everything just so we could get by.
“I owe her everything.
“My father meanwhile fought for every penny. He worked in a leather factory, then ran a coffee house, followed by a pool saloon, then he worked at Opel.
“This was between periods of unemployment.
“But he always picked himself up and never gave up.
“We struggled a lot as a family but it brought us together, we are still very close.”
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Ozil revealed that despite being born and growing up in Germany he struggled to learn the language and it was not until primary school that he became fluent.
“I grew up in Bornstrasse, almost everyone here is from an immigrant background,” he added.
“I grew up speaking Turkish, my family could not afford nursery so I did not know German until I went to primary school.
“And I learned at the pace of a tortoise. I really, really struggled to learn. My grammar was abysmal, it took a long time to learn.
“I spoke Turkish with my parents, with friends, in the neighborhood.
“That is why I say now, know your own language but you must learn the language of the country you live in and speak it well. It is really important.”
The 2014 World Cup winner also stated that he does not feel he has moved up the class system as a result of his recent riches.
Ozil admitted he still feels he is the same person and that the money has not changed him.
The Arsenal star is renowned for his assists more so than his goals and it appears his approach to football also applies off the pitch.
Ozil admitted that he enjoys helping others more than himself.
“I do not feel I have changed class or anything like that,” he said.
“I do not feel I have proven myself just because I have more money.
“I just play the game I love, I never thought I would make a living from football when I was playing at the academy.
“I played because I loved the sport not because I thought it would make me rich.
“And the money I earn I like to use to help my family and those in need, that is what brings me satisfaction.”
