The complex tale of Ozil Mesut and Germany

Posted : 26 July 2023

Ozil Mesut's recent actions have sparked controversy, leaving Turks and Germans with conflicting views. The football star's tattoo of the "gray wolves," a far-right Turkish nationalist organization, has raised concerns about his allegiances and values.

Despite his career supposedly being in the past, Ozil's decisions continue to captivate public interest, especially his close association with Turkish President Erdogan and his support for the Grey Wolves.
 
Ozil's life journey, as the son of immigrants in Germany, is seen as a parable of multiculturalism and integration. He epitomized the perfect player, rising to fame with clubs like Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, and Arsenal, while also representing Germany on the international stage. For Turks, he was a symbol of social mobility, and for Germans, a model for integration.
 
However, Ozil's relationship with Germany soured amid the refugee crisis, and his ties to Turkish nationalism grew stronger. Photographed with Erdogan, he faced backlash from the German media and public, who expected him to fully embrace German values and abandon his past.

This rift was further emphasized when Germany faced humiliation in the World Cup, leading to criticism from the public, press, and even the German FA.
 
Ozil's context is vital to understanding his actions. When he first joined the national team, Turkish cafes would boo and curse him, branding him a traitor. However, his success on the pitch eventually earned him respect from both Turkish and German communities. Yet, he has now disavowed Germany, expressing allegiance to Turkish nationalism, which has been met with mixed reactions.
 
His story serves as a powerful message about immigration and integration in Germany. Ozil's struggle with identity and acceptance shows that even successful individuals may still face conditional acceptance within society. While some hope for unity, the reality is that Ozil's choice to embrace Turkey and his rejection by Germany reflect the continuing divide between the two sides.
 
In the end, Ozil's actions continue to captivate the public, sparking debates about national identity, belonging, and the complexities of multiculturalism in modern-day Germany.
 

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