London :Former Germany footballer Mesut Ozil said that he will continue to support the international football team despite bitterness between the two over his sudden retirement from the team after the World Cup 2018. Speaking in a Q&A session on Twitter ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon, the midfielder said that he has been a supporter of Germany Football team since childhood and will remain so.
“I’ve always been supporting the DFB Team since my childhood and I’ve still many friends playing for the German national team,” he said. “Of course I’m still supporting the team!”
Ozil, who was one of the leading figures of the team that led Germany to 2014 World Cup title, announced his retirement following the side’s humiliating group stage exit in Russia. The 92-times capped midfielder cited “disrespect and racism” within the German Football Federation (DFB) as the reason for his decision.
The footballer, who was born to Turkish parents in Germany, was targeted with xenophobic comments and singled out for criticism by angry fans following his decision. The Arsenal player scored 23 goals in his international career.
