Germany international legend Franz Beckenbauer has given his reaction to the national team’s failure at the World Cup.
The reigning World Cup champions bowed out in the group stage after shock defeats against Mexico and South Korea.
Despite the entire team playing poorly, Arsenal star Mesut Ozil picked up much of the blame and was targeted as a reason for the failure.
Ozil subsequently quit the national team citing racism and discrimination as being key factors behind his decision.
The 29-year-old opened up a debate in Germany over attitudes towards players nonethnic German heritage.
Beckenbauer has become the latest high profile figure to attack the Arsenal man, taking a veiled swipe at the fact Ozil doesn’t sing the Germany national anthem.
“From the outside, I also had the impression that the passion had been somewhat watered down in the four years since the World Cup victory,” he told Bild. “Therefore, a rebuild with hungry, hot players is needed.
“The singing of the national anthem also plays a role. Who sings before the game frees himself more than chewing gum.”
Several former Germany national team players including Lohar Matthaus, Stefen Effenberg and Mario Basler also singled out Ozil for criticism.
“He’s over-rated as a footballer. I have to say it over and over again – he has the body language of a dead frog. It’s pathetic,” Basler stated live on TV, his words were applauded by the live audience.
Although Ozil was not named by the Bayern Munich legend, he has come under fire for not singing the anthem in the past.
The playmaker of Turkish origin is expected to feature for the Gunners in their Premier League opener against Manchester City next weekend.