Former Arsenal and Real Madrid legend, Mesut Özil, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.

Of course, the player’s playmaking skills are second to none in Europe’s top-5 leagues, made several headlines in the Premier League.

Özil dazzled as an attacking midfielder, and he always played as a wide midfielder on the pitch. He was literally a complete player.

The German international is known for his technical abilities, unbelievable passes, vision, and creativity.

His legacy at Real Madrid and Arsenal cannot be forgotten. The Gunners will always refer to him as a legend.

Özil on his retirement from professional football:

“After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.”

“I have had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”

“I want to thank Schalke, Werder, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe and Basaksehir, all my friends in football. It was an amazing journey.” 

“Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing. Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels.”

Despite the fact he decided to retire at 34 years old, Some of his records are still unbreakable in the Premier League.

Apparently, some players at the age of 34 are still playing, making waves, and helping their team’s performances.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric are still up and running on the pitch. Nevertheless, Mesut has achieved more than enough in the world of football.

Without a doubt, Özil is the best German playmaker in the 21st century. No player has been able to come close to his creativity.

Mesut single-handedly helped Cristiano Ronaldo’s career at Real Madrid, helped the Portuguese star’s performances.

During his three seasons with the Los Blancos, the German provided 31 assists to the former Manchester United superstar.

Only Karim Benzema provided more assists (47) to Ronaldo, which was throughout his 10 seasons at Santiago Bernabéu.

Mesut Özil stats for Real Madrid

159 appearances
27 goals
80 assists
107 goal contributions
3 trophies

Frankly, the Los Blancos haven’t been able to replace the German international since he left the club.

His creativity and technical abilities are second to none. He literally retires as one of Real Madrid’s legends.

Mesut Ozil stats for Arsenal 

254 games
44 goals
77 assists
121 goal contributions
4 trophies

Despite the fact he didn’t leave the Emirates on good terms with Mikel Arteta. He will always be in the hearts of the Gunners.

The North London club now have the likes of Martin Odegaard and Fábio Vieira, making headlines as attacking midfielders.

However, they still have a long way to go before replicating what Mesut did for the Gunners family.

Mesut Özil career stats and honors 

696 matches
120 goals
262 assists
137 mins per goal/assist
4 FA Cups
1 FIFA World Cup
1 La Liga
1 Copa del Rey
1 German Cup

What are Mesut Ozil’s memorable moments in his professional football career?

• Firstly, during his time at Arsenal, the German international was once spotted doing kick-ups with his chewing gum during a warm-up. At least he was able to do six kick-ups with his chewing gum, before one of his teammates disrupted his entertainment.

• Secondly, Mesut’s goal for Arsenal against Ludogorets will remain one of the most iconic goals in UEFA Champions League history. Ozil received the pass from one of his teammates in the midfield, one-on-one with his opponent’s goalkeeper. Interestingly, he got past the goalie with his skills, cutting two of the opponent’s players before scoring the goal.

What are the unbelievable records held by Mesut Özil? 

Most chances created in a single Premier League season – 146 

The German international was at his best for Arsenal in the 2015-2016 season, making 146 key passes in a single campaign.

Only Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City has been able to come close. The Belgian created 136 chances in 2019-2020.

The record for the most chances created in a single Premier League season still belongs to the German playmaker.

Fourth German player with the most games for Real Madrid – 159

Even though the player spent just three seasons with the Los Blancos. He is still the fourth German footballer with the most appearances.

He played 159 matches for the La Liga side in all competitions, meaning he played many back-to-back games for Madrid.

Ozil is just behind German players like, Toni Kroos (402), Uli Stielike (308), and Sami Khedira (161).

Most chances created from open play in three FIFA World Cup tournaments – 10

Mesut is one of the most complete midfielders for the Germany national team, always helped the team’s performance during international games.

The former Gunners playmaker created more than 10 chances from open play in each of his three World Cup tournaments.

Only Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Thomas Muller have been able to achieve the same feat in the competition’s history.

German player with the most goals in the Premier League – 32

Ozil remains the best German player to ever play in the Premier League, particularly as an attacker.

Timo Werner made some appearances at Chelsea, and Kai Havertz is still playing at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, none of them has been able to come close to Ozil’s goal statistics in the Premier League.

The North London club legend netted 32 EPL goals throughout his time at Arsenal as a German footballer.

Most hat-trick of assists in history – 8

Having been one of the most complete playmakers in the world of football. Mesut still held the record for most hat-tricks.

Throughout his professional football career, the player registered three assists in a single game eight times.

Of course, that showed his level of creativity and technicality. He has many things in common with Lionel Messi.

Most chances created in a single Premier League match – 12 

This is unbelievable; neither Bruno Fernandes nor Kevin De Bruyne have been able to make 12 key passes in a single EPL game.

Well, Ozil made it happen in their 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League in 2017.

The record is still unbreakable in the competition’s history. No player has ever come close.

Most chances created in a single UEFA Champions League game – 12

The German playmaker single-handedly frustrated Tottenham in the 2010-2011 campaign in the UEFA Champions League.

Mesut created 12 big chances against the Spurs in the UCL, making it the most key passes in the competition’s history.

With respect to Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain hasn’t been able to create 12 big chances in a single UCL match.

German player with the most assists in the Premier League – 52

Many German footballers have played and are currently playing as attacking midfielders in the English league.

However, none of them has been able to break Ozil’s record in the league for the most assists (52) registered by a German player in history.