Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid Star Mesut Ozil Enters Turkish Political Scene

Mesut Ozil, the former star of Germany, Real Madrid, and Arsenal, who hung up his boots in 2023, has been elected to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as announced by the party on Sunday.

The German-born 2014 World Cup champion joined the AKP’s central council during a congress held in Ankara, where Erdogan was re-elected for the ninth consecutive time to lead the conservative party that has dominated Turkey since 2002.

Having concluded his club career in Istanbul, Ozil has been a long-time supporter of Erdogan and even chose him as his best man during his wedding to former ‘Miss Turkey’, Amine Gulse, in 2019.

A photograph featuring Ozil and Erdogan alongside former Germany teammate Ilkay Gundogan, who also has Turkish roots, sparked significant controversy. Berlin accused the Turkish leader of authoritarian tendencies, while Ozil faced backlash from the German far-right.

Once viewed as a symbol of Germany’s multicultural identity, Ozil distanced himself from the national team, alleging racism within the German Football Association.