Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has won the Germany Laureus Ambassador award which is given to current or retired sportsmen and sportswomen who have achieved sporting greatness or made significant contributions to the sporting community during their lives.

The Arsenal playmaker has also been working as a Laureus ambassador and has worked with the foundation on charitable projects including helping Brazilian kids living in poverty after the World Cup.

The 27-year-old was also presented with a Laureus Sport for Good award in recognition of his work. Özil used his World Cup bonus to fund operations for 23 seriously ill Brazilian children.

Ozil was quoted by NDTV as saying: “For me, community involvement is very important and I can identify with the mission of Laureus Sport for Good. Sport, in my case football, has changed my life and influenced me positively. I am eager to give something back to society and to help children and young people who need assistance.”

Ozil founded the ‘Özil-Foundation’ in 2015 to support children and young people around the world and recently took part in a charitable game with Syrian orphans in Jordan to raise awareness and charity for their plight.

The playmaker is currently on international duty with Germany ahead of Euro 2016 in France.

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