Football: Özil return to German national team unlikely
'A comeback is not an issue,' Germany's coach Low says
Joachim Low, the head coach of the German national football team, said Wednesday he did not expect Turkish-German footballer Mesut Özil to return to the national team.
"Mesut Özil has clearly announced his retirement and closed the door himself," Low told Sport Bild journal.
"A comeback is not an issue," Low said.
In July, Özil quitted the national team, citing racial discrimination.
He sparked a debate in the country with his decision to quit Germany’s national team, due to what he considered was discrimination and racist propaganda he faced.
German Football Association (DFB) President Reinhard Grindel had admitted he failed to give a strong support to Turkish-German footballer Mesut Özil, who faced a racist propaganda before and after the 2018 World Cup.
Özil was born on Oct. 15, 1988, in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany.
He started playing professional football with FC Schalke 04. He became a star midfielder while playing for Werder Bremen, and his efforts were also seen during the 2010 World Cup.
Before winning the World Cup in 2014, Özil was transferred to Arsenal from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2013.
Özil appeared in 92 matches with the German national football team. He scored 23 goals and assisted 40 times in those matches, a record.
He won the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil. He was awarded a bronze medal in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He won the German player of the year award five times. Özil was also one of the 2010 Golden Ball award nominees.
Özil was selected for the Euro 2012 team of the tournament. He also twice appeared in Euros semifinals.
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