It was also that summer that my obsession began with Ozil
His creativity and pace defined German football but his relentlessness and commitment defined why I fell in love with the sport
The five-time German Player of the Year, who has earned 92 caps for his country and assisted a record of 40 goals, however, hung up his black and white shirt
Scapegoated by German media for the team’s recent performance in Russia, racially abused by the German Football Federation’s President and disowned by many of his sponsor partners, Ozil said, “Enough is enough
” https://twitter
com/MesutOzil1088/status/1020984884431638528 https://twitter
com/MesutOzil1088/status/1021017944745226242 https://twitter
com/MesutOzil1088/status/1021093637411700741 To delve into the politics of it all is something that I do not want to do
To disagree with the politics that he propagated, is one thing
To use that to cross a line and use a player’s lineage and religion against him is another
“When we win, I’m German
When we lose, I’m an immigrant
” The damning words used by Ozil in his open letter echo those of other immigrant football players
“When I score I’m French, when I don’t I’m an Arab,” France’s Karim Benzema said
In the same vein, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has spoken about how when the national team wins he’s Belgian, but when they lose he is a Belgium player of Congolese descent
For Ozil, this has been nothing new
In his autobiography Gunning for Greatness, he spoke about his childhood and how during football trials someone with a German name would be chosen over him, even if they were not necessarily better than him
Ozil has fought racism at the grassroots level to get where he is
This is what makes Ozil’s stand even more powerful
Ridiculous to even think that racism persists at the highest level of German football and is the reason why one of the most talented players of our generation has been forced to hang up his international jersey
https://twitter
com/Durchiga/status/1021099084432670720 Ozil has always been an introverted player, both on and off the field
However, he has always been committed to bettering others
On the field, he does that with his feet
Off the field, he has started a worldwide dialogue on racism and refused to stand by and take the injustice
What hurts the most is his lonely farewell
Having worn the Germany jersey for over nine years, one would expect Ozil’s German teammates to come out and speak against what Ozil has faced
To realise that this is bigger than football
Resignations of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski saw a flood of social media messages by their German teammates
In Ozil’s case, there has been mainly radio silence
The French Football Team’s recent World Cup win raised the issue of immigrant players and dual identity in the 21st century
Many of the World Cup winning squad have an immigrant heritage to an extent that comedian Trevor Noah congratulated Africa on its World Cup win
The comment led to a spar between Noah and the French ambassador who said the players belonged to France and reflected the diversity of the country
“I watch what politicians say about African migrants when they are unemployed, when they may commit a crime, or when they’re considered unsavoury, they are ‘African immigrants’,” Noah added
However, “when their children go on to provide a World Cup victory for France, we should only refer to it as France”
https://twitter
com/TheDailyShow/status/1019751037853241344 This echoes the sentiments of Ozil, Lukaku, Benzema and any other player who has faced discrimination for their immigrant background
Only when they win, are they included into the team
When they are losing, their immigrant background makes the headlines
As my favourite football player hangs up his international jersey, I am hit with a gulf of sadness that I will not see him play on the international stage again
However, already a World Cup winner and five-time German Player of the Year, his retirement only solidifies his legacy
A man committed to better the lives of young immigrant players; he has started a dialogue on the false narratives peddled against immigrant players like him
https://twitter
com/MarianaKa2/status/1021110327281422337 His genius may be overshadowed by the racism in Germany, but at Arsenal, I can sense a season of magic awaits
https://twitter
com/FrimponOnline/status/1022180963567235074
| Date: | 29-Jul-2018 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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