Mesut Ozil’s Career Journey: From Real Madrid Glory to Reflecting on His Best XI

Mesut Ozil, often underappreciated for his prime performances, emerged through the ranks at Schalke before gaining acclaim at Werder Bremen and the 2010 World Cup with Germany. His standout performances led to a move to Real Madrid in 2010, where he spent three influential years and became a beloved figure among the fans at Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite his success in Madrid, Ozil surprised many by joining Arsenal in the summer of 2013. Despite a successful stint with the Gunners, he faced challenges towards the end of his time there, eventually retiring earlier this year after spells with Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir.

In a recent interview, Ozil revealed his best XI of players he has played with, notably excluding Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas. The lineup features Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Jerome Boateng, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Santi Cazorla, Ozil himself, Alexis Sanchez, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. While Casillas is absent, Ozil’s choice of Neuer, with whom he shared success at Schalke and the World Cup, offers insight into the personal connections that influenced his selections.