Revealed: Arsenal star Mesut Ozil prays in Turkish during German national anthem
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is renowned for praying before games, controversially he also prays while playing for the Germany national team during the anthem.
What was previously unknown was that Ozil prays in Turkish and revealed in his biography that he has done since he was a kid.
More: For Mesut Ozil news and everything you want to know about the Arsenal star
“Just before kick-off, I pray. It’s become a tradition of mine. It’s always the same text. I pray in Turkish,” he writes in his biography ‘Die Magie des Spiels’ (The Magic of the Game) that is out on March 16.
“I learnt these prayers as a child from my parents.
“I say then after getting up, after eating and during the national anthem.”
The anthem controversy has not affected Ozil’s form for the Germany national side, he played a key role in winning the 2014 World Cup, becoming the first player of Turkish origin to lift the trophy.
The Arsenal player has 21 goals for Germany since making his debut in 2009.
Ozil was born in Germany but he is an ethnic Turk and member of the largest minority group in the country.
The 28-year-old’s family originate from the Zonguldak province in North-Western Turkey.
Ozil is bi-lingual in Turkish and German, he also speaks English and Spanish.
The Arsenal playmaker regularly visits Turkey where he is a popular celebrity. Ozil was in Istanbul last week with former Miss World Turkey Amine Gulse.
