Mesut Ozil has announced his immediate retirement from international football. The Germany midfielder made the announcement on Sunday evening claiming to have been the subject of "racism and disrespect" following his high-profile and controversial meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to the World Cup. The picture with Erdogan saw the Arsenal man pose with the Turkish president and German teammate Ilkay Gundogan. World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Cho Hyun-woo - 8/10 Made several fantastic saves, including a diving save early in the second half to deny Goretzka. A deserved clean sheet for him AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Lee Yong - 7/10 Defended very strongly at right back and got forward to on the break to give South Korea’s attack more options. Ran himself into the ground AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Yun Young-sun - 7/10 Outstanding in defence. Germany kept coming at South Korea and, baring a couple of mistakes, Young-sun held his own against the World Cup holders AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Kim Young-gwon - 8/10 Linked well with Yun Young-Sun in defence to stop Germany’s attacks. Got the goal that knocked out the world champions before Son landed the hammer blow. A class performance AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Chul Hong - 7/10 Was put under immense pressure at left-back as Germany pounded the right side but stood strong and kept a clean sheet Getty Images, World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Lee Jae-sung - 7/10 Led the attack out of Korea’s half when they moved onto the counter. Delivered good balls into Son to give Korea their best chances on goal EPA World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Jang Hyun-soo - 6/10 Quick on the counter attack and broke free regularly in the second half. Didn't provide enough service to Son, though AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Jung Woo-young - 7/10 Had a good free kick saved by Neuer. Attacked well on the counter in the second half EPA World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Moon Seon-min - 7/10 Worked like a racehorse down the left, sprinting back and forth all day. His only negative was holding onto the ball too long near Germany's goal AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Son Heung-Min - 7/10 Advanced forward when on the break and created a few half chances. Picked up a yellow card in the second half for diving but finally got his goal in the 96th minute REUTERS World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Koo Ja-cheol - 6/10 Struggled with an injury so couldn’t make enough of his possession when he got into the box AP World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Manuel Neuer - 6/10 Made an error in the first half that almost let Son Heung-Min score the opener, but he recovered well to punch it clear AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Joshua Kimmich - 6/10 He wasn’t challenged a great deal at the back but gave Germany options going forward, including a loopy cross in the second half to set up Goretzka AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Niklas Sule - 6/10 Made some quality passes from the back to launch a rather sluggish German side into attacking positions. Had a 98 per cent pass completion rate in the first half REUTERS World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Mats Hummels - 6/10 Stormed forward in the second half to try and rescue his team, but to no avail. Germany's defence came undone in those chaotic final minutes AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Jonas Hector - 6/10 Went forward with serious gusto and more often than not found himself in front of goal. But that was about it from the player AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Sami Khedira - 6/10 Sluggish in midfield. Saw plenty of the ball but was unable to break down the South Korean defence AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Toni Kroos - 6/10 Didn’t play well enough today. Created some chances for his side but was lacking in urgency and desire Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Leon Goretzka - 5/10 Had one of Germany’s best chances in the second half; should have directed his header better but forced Cho into the save AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Mesut Ozil - 5/10 A poor performance. He was slow in midfield while a number of his passes missed their target by some way. He did, however, deliver the ball for Germany’s best chance of the second half AFP/Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Marco Reus - 6/10 Tried his best to create chances all over the pitch but came up against a determined South Korean side Getty Images World Cup: South Korea vs Germany player ratings Timo Werner - 5/10 Didn’t find enough good positions as the front-line striker. Often drifted to the left which limited his chances on goal AFP/Getty Images Both players came in for heavy criticism from fans and pundits in their homeland as a result with leading German football figures including Oliver Bierhoff and Ottmar Hitzfeld suggesting that both should not have been allowed to represent their country in Russia. Recommended Ozil breaks silence over meeting with Turkish president Erdogan Germany, of course, went on to crash out of the tournament in the group stages and after earlier moving to clarify his position over the picture in question Ozil again took to Twitter to officially announce his retirement from the international game.<doc-sep>Germany's Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football Sunday at the age of 29, citing racism and lashing out at the president of the German football federation. The Arsenal midfielder will not add to his 92 caps, 23 goals and 40 assists for his country following political tensions regarding his Turkish roots and being dropped from the starting XI during this summer's World Cup as the defending champions crashed out in the group stage. Ozil was heavily criticised in Germany for his meeting with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, when he and Ilkay Gundogan posed for a photo with the Turkish president during his visit to London. The Arsenal midfielder finally broke his silence on the issue Sunday by posting a lengthy statement on social media insisting that he had done nothing wrong, before finally concluding that he was done playing for the German national team. "It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect," he wrote. "I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't." Born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, Ozil opted to play for Germany in November 2006 when invited by Turkey's FA to take part in a friendly against Italy, saying that he did "not plan to take on Turkish citizenship." Ozil became a key player for Germany's golden generation, starting by winning the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Benedikt Howedes and Ozil became a core group in the senior team that went on to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ozil made his senior debut for Germany in February 2009 and went on to become one of the stars of a revived German side at the 2010 World Cup, as the team finished third, starting in every match in South Africa. He would then start in every game at a major tournament until Germany's 2-1 win against Sweden at the 2018 World Cup, which came after a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening game, amid the ongoing row over his willingness to integrate into German society. While Gundogan had explained his part in the Erdogan photograph in the lead-up to the World Cup, Ozil opted to remain silent on the issue, leading to political turmoil. The German football federation (DFB) has said the meeting was ill-advised, and Ozil's performances at the World Cup were also heavily scrutinised in the wake of the controversy. And Ozil on Sunday defended his part in the photo, saying it wasn't about politics but about respecting the office of the presidency, adding that he believed his critics used the photo "as an opportunity to express their previously hidden racist tendencies." "I'm aware that the picture of us caused a huge response in German media, and whilst some people may accuse me of lying or being deceitful, the picture we took had no political intensions," Ozil wrote. "For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country." Mesut Ozil during Germany's World Cup defeat to Mexico in June 2018. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images Earlier this month, the head of the German football federation, Reinhard Grindel, had said Ozil owed fans an explanation for his actions when he returned from his post-World Cup holiday. Ozil's statement was posted as Arsenal were preparing to fly to Singapore for a preseason tour, with Ozil having joined up with the squad just in time for the trip. Ozil said the "mistreatment from the DFB, and in particular" Grindel was the issue that "frustrated" him the most. He accused Grindel of being "far more interested in speaking of his own political views and belittling my opinion" and said the federation turned him into "political propaganda." "I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly," Ozil wrote. "I know that [Grindel] wanted me out the team after the picture, and publicised his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but [coach] Joachim Low and [director] Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me. "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose." Ozil also criticised Grindel's past record as a member of Germany's Parliament, concluding: "People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has many players from dual-heritage families." Ozil went on to list a number of honours he received for contributing to German society, and questioned why the public appeared reluctant to accept him. "Are there criteria for being fully German that I do not fit?" he asked. "My friend Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are never referred to as German-Polish, so why am I German-Turkish? Is it because it is Turkey? Is it because I'm a Muslim?" The past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect, and time to think over the events of the last few months. Consequently, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about what has happened. pic.twitter.com/WpWrlHxx74 — Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 22, 2018 In an earlier statement, Ozil said "the past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect" on the situation -- adding that having been born in Germany to a Turkish family means that "I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish." And he explained that his mother taught him as a child to "never forget where I came from." "Although the German media have portrayed something different, the truth is that not meeting with the President would have been disrespecting the roots of my ancestors, who I know would be proud of where I am today," his statement said. "For me it didn't matter who was President, it mattered that it was the President.<doc-sep>How can Arteta strengthen this summer? Get all your latest Gunners news Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Mesut Ozil has retired from international football with Germany after fans urged him to do so on account of him being made a "scapegoat" following their disappointing World Cup in Russia. The Arsenal star, 29, was heavily criticised for his performances in the tournament, as the 2014 winners failed to make it out of their group. Ozil was slammed after Germany's opening defeat by Mexico, before he was then dropped for the victory over Sweden. The midfielder was subsequently returned to the starting XI for the must-win clash with South Korea, but was again on the losing side. The former Real Madrid No. 10 posted three open letters to social media on Sunday; the first defending his decision to pose for a photograph with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in May, and the second hitting out at the German media for its treatment of him. (Image: REUTERS) In the third open letter Ozil announced he would be retiring from the national team. He wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. "I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my team-mates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany. "But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda then enough is enough. "That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted." (Image: AFP) Fans of the midfielder took to social media earlier in the day to respond to Ozil's first two letters, and many called on him to quit and focus all his attentions on Arsenal - which he later did. One Twitter user wrote: "Mesut Ozil should retire from international duty. He is just being made a scapegoat for Germany's uninspiring World Cup because of his pictures with Erdogan." Another added: "Mesut Ozil should retire from the Germany team. They are ungrateful, they don't deserve you." While a third said: "I think Ozil is going to retire from international football I hope he does." And a fourth concluded: "Mesut Ozil should just retire from international football. He's already won the World Cup." (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Interestingly, it's wasn't just fans that advised Ozil to give up international football. Following Germany's World Cup exit, at the height of Ozil's criticism, his father Mustafa also leaped to his defence and suggested he too should quit. "If I were in his place, I would say: 'Thank you, but that's enough,'" Mustafa told BILD. "He's bent, disappointed and offended, yes offended. His own fans booed him before the World Cup at the International in Austria and he cannot understand why."<doc-sep>German soccer star Mesut Ozil said on Sunday he would no longer play for the national team because he faced racism and disrespect. His impassioned statement comes amid a political debate in Germany about an influx of immigrants that has seen a rise of the far right at the expense of traditional parties. Ozil was a member of Germany's World Cup-winning side in 2014 and has been voted by fans as the team's player of the year five times since 2011. But the creative midfield player faced a barrage of criticism at home for having his photograph taken with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in May. He and Ilkay Gundogan, a team mate also of Turkish descent who also posed with Erdogan, were jeered by some German fans in warm-up games before the World Cup in Russia.<doc-sep>
Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from international football. The Arsenal midfielder, 29, was made the 'scapegoat' for Germany's World Cup disaster this summer in Russia, as the 2014 winners of the tournament failed to make it out of their group following two defeats and a win. Ozil was criticised for his performance in Germany's opening defeat by Mexico, before being dropped for the victory over Sweden. He was subsequently returned to the starting XI for the must-win clash with South Korea, but was again on the losing side. Ozil posted three open letters to social media on Sunday, concluding with his resignation from international football in which he hit out at the 'racism and disrespect' he has been subject to. He wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. (Image: AFP) "I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my team-mates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany. "But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda then enough is enough. "That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted." He added: "The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt. "I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten. (Image: REUTERS) "People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has many players from dual-heritage families. "Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent. Ozil's first post of the day defended his decision to pose for a picture alongside Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in May - an image that landed him in hot water at the time. While the second letter was directed at the German media, and hit out at them for blaming the picture and his dual-heritage for the nation's poor World Cup performance. Fans of the midfielder took to social media earlier in the day to respond to Ozil's first two letters, with many calling on him to quit and focus all his attentions on Arsenal. (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images) One Twitter user wrote: "Mesut Ozil should retire from international duty. He is just being made a scapegoat for Germany's uninspiring World Cup because of his pictures with Erdogan." Another added: "Mesut Ozil should retire from the Germany team. They are ungrateful, they don't deserve you." While a third said: "I think Ozil is going to retire from international football I hope he does." And a fourth concluded: "Mesut Ozil should just retire from international football. He's already won the World Cup. Following Germany's World Cup exit, at the height of Ozil's criticism, his father Mustafa also leaped to his defence and suggested he too should quit. "If I were in his place, I would say: 'Thank you, but that's enough,'" Mustafa told BILD. "He's bent, disappointed and offended, yes offended. His own fans booed him before the World Cup at the International in Austria and he cannot understand why."