The Local Germany

'I felt disrespected': Mesut Özil opens up on racism and German football

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 11:11:35 +0200

Mesut Özil has opened up about being at the centre of an attempted car-jacking and his explosive resignation from the Germany team following racist abuse.

German footballer Mesut Özil and teammate targeted by 'armed car-jackers'

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 13:18:55 +0200

German footballer Mesut Özil and his Arsenal teammate Sead Kolasinac were attacked by 'knife-wielding car-jackers' in a terrifying ordeal which was captured on video and circulated on social media.

Özil marries in Istanbul, with Erdogan as best man

Sat, 08 Jun 2019 11:00:24 +0200

Former German international footballer Mesut Özil was married in Istanbul on Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as his best man.

No comeback for Mesut Özil after fallout, says Jogi Löw

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:02:46 +0200

Germany coach Joachim Löw has confirmed there is no chance of Mesut Özil returning to the team in the wake of the player's bombshell retirement from international duty in July.

DFB president Grindel admits to mistakes in Özil affair

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:42:53 +0200

German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel has once again rejected accusations of racism, but has also admitted that he and his colleagues made mistakes in their handling of the ongoing debate over midfielder Mesut Özil.

Five key dates in the Mesut Özil saga

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:36:31 +0200

Here are the key moments that culminated in Mesut Özil's bombshell announcement he was retiring from international football after a career including Germany's triumph at the 2014 World Cup.

Update: Özil quits Germany side after 'racism' as Turkey applauds

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 10:51:12 +0200

Mesut Özil on Monday was warmly applauded by Turkey but faced uproar at home in Germany after announcing he was quitting the German national football team, lambasting "racism" over criticism for the side's World Cup debacle.

German Turks warn of racism in anger following World Cup flop

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 18:36:05 +0200

Since Germany humiliatingly crashed out of the World Cup, a team member with Turkish roots has faced a hailstorm of criticism that Muslim and migrant groups charge is openly racist.

'Scapegoat' Özil should quit German team, says father

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:46:28 +0200

Mesut Özil's father said Sunday his son should quit Germany's national squad after he was made a "scapegoat" for their shock first-round defeat at the World Cup.

Mesut Özil: Germany's €50-million footballer

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:40:00 +0200

His last-minute deal on transfer deadline day shocked British football and made him Germany’s most expensive footballer. It also made Mesut Özil our German of the Week.

Özil wants to sit out Turkey football clash

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:45:00 +0200

One of Germany’s high-profile ethnic Turkish footballers, Mesut Özil, has asked to sit out Friday’s match against Turkey to avoid angry Turkish fans – but has been told he has to play.

Merkel tries to calm locker room visit hubbub

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:10:00 +0200

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has had a 'clear the air' chat with football bosses after a surprise visit to the national team's changing room caused a storm.

Germany's young Turk Özil sinks Turkey

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:56:00 +0200

Germany's young playmaker Mesut Özil scored in his side's 3-0 win over Turkey in Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier to keep Joachim Löw's side top of Group A with three straight wins.