By
Promise Eze
Mesut Ozil, the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder, has announced his retirement at the age of 34.
Writing on Instagram, Ozil said that it was becoming “more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football”, with injuries playing a part in his decision.
Ozil’s final game came on February 2, when he was substituted at half-time during Istanbul Basaksehir’s 1-0 defeat at Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig. It was one of just two starts he made for the club after signing from Fenerbahce last summer.
“Hello everyone, after thoughtful consideration, l’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.
“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football,” he wrote.
