Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil’s father Mustafa Ozil has spoken out about the treatment his son has received this summer.
Ozil was slammed by the German press and former Die Mannschaft international’s following Germany’s humiliating group stage exit from the 2018 World Cup.
Ozil played the full 90 minutes during both his sides defeats but did create seven-goal scoring chances for his teammates during their loss to South Korea.
Ozil’s father has stated that he would retire from international football if he were in his son’s shoes.
“If I were in his place, I would say: ‘Thank you, but that’s enough,” Mustafa Ozil told Bild am Sonntag.
“He’s bent, disappointed and offended, yes, offended, his own fans booed him before the World Cup at the international in Austria and he cannot understand why.
“He doesn’t always have to defend himself. He’s played in the national team for nine years … and became a world champion.
“It’s always said that if we win, we win together, but if we lose, we lose because of Ozil.
“He’s booed and put up as a scapegoat – I completely understand that he is offended.
“Mesut’s been an example for years. The situation is absurd – he loves Germany and has shown commitment to his country, that he’s presented as a scapegoat is so unfair.”
Ozil’s father did, however, admit that being photographed alongside Erdogan may not have been a wise decision by his son.
“I thought: ‘This isn’t such a good idea.’ But I didn’t think: ‘Uh oh, everything is collapsing now,’” Mustafa Erdogan went onto say.
“It wasn’t the first photo of Mesut with Erdogan, I knew it wasn’t a political statement from him or anything like that.
“He had it taken out of politeness. Mesut is a reserved person, almost shy, how could he have turned down a photo if a man like Erdogan asks him?
“Mesut is an athlete who wants to play football and has nothing to do with politics, which is why he did not think anything about the picture.”
See More: “It’s pathetic” – Keser slams Bierhoff’s attack on Arsenal star Mesut Ozil
Both Ozil and Gundogan were heavily criticised in the lead up to the competition after posing for a picture with Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Arsenal star was also booed during a pre-tournament friendly against Saudi Arabia.
Ozil is expected to return to Arsenal in the coming days to begin pre-season ahead of the 2018/19 season. The former Real Madrid star has scored 23 goals in 95 appearances for Germany.
