FORMER Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has made a shock career change after retiring from football.
The German-born Wold Cup winner has entered the world of POLITICS.
Ozil has become a member of Turkey’s ruling AK Party’s central council at a congress meeting in Ankara.
The legendary midfielder was voted into a key decision-making body called the Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK).
Ozil, who ended his club career with Istanbul Basaksehir, has been a longtime supporter of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Tens of thousands gathered in a sports hall grand congress as Erdogan secured his ninth re-election as AKP’s leader.
In 2019, Ozil chose Conservative leader Erdogan as the best man at his wedding to Amine Gulse, a former Miss Turkey.
His association with Erdogan has previously sparked controversy.
A 2018 photo of Ozil and fellow German star Ilkay Gundogan alongside Erdogan triggered a political backlash in Germany.
Ozil, previously held up as a symbol of a multicultural Germany, retired from the German national team soon after.
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He accused fans of racism saying: “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
The third-generation Turkish-German was born in Gelsenkirchen and was a key member of his country’s 2014 World Cup-winning side.
He won 92 caps and was voted the national team’s player of the year five times since 2011 by fans.
Now, with his political career taking shape, Ozil is set to play a new role within Turkish politics under Erdogan’s leadership.
But in his prime, he was regarded as one of football’s best playmakers.
Ozil scooped trophies with Werder Bremen, Madrid and Arsenal during a glittering club career.
