Bayern Munich star and Germany international keeper Manuel Neuer has given his reaction to Mesut Ozil quitting international football.
Ozil retired from the Germany national team after accusing the German FA of “racism and disrespect” over the issue of a photograph taken alongside Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.
The playmaker of Turkish origin feels he was made a scapegoat for Germany bowing out of the World Cup in the group stage.
Neuer backed Ozil’s decision and made it clear that the reason this debate is ongoing is because Germany performed poorly as a team.
Asked if he was disappointed by Ozil’s decision, Neuer replied: “It’s the decision of the player.
“If both of them [Ozil and Gundogan] or all of the players performed great at the World Cup we wouldn’t stand here and talk about this,” he said.
“When another player is saying that he wants to [retire] it’s his own decision. You have to search for the reasons on your own then and in that case, he has found them.
“We’re accepting this decision of course. In the past other players had quit their career at the national team too after a tournament like the European Championship or the World Cup.”
“When another player is saying that he wants to [retire] it’s his own decision. You have to search for the reasons on your own then and in that case, he has found them.
“We’re accepting this decision of course. In the past other players had quit their career at the national team too after a tournament like the European Championship or the World Cup.”
Ozil announced his decision to retire from the national team on his social media channels in a three-part statement.
The playmaker of Turkish origin returned to Arsenal pre-season training early following the World Cup debacle.
Ozil has enjoyed a full pre-season under new boss Unai Emery and made the trips to Singapore and Ireland.