The way Ozil has been treated by German media, politicians and especially the DFB has caused him to make the "difficult decision" to announce his international retirement, saying that: "I now feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten." It said: “We play and live together with our various roots, religions and cultures.”

However, the DFB felt the photo of Ozil had “raised questions for many people in Germany” and also “self-critically acknowledge” the organisation “played a part in that when dealing with this issue.”

While expressing regret Ozil “feels as if he wasn’t given enough protection when made the target of racist slogans”, the DFB said it was “important” for the player to “provide answers for this photo, regardless of the way the World Cup in Russia went.”

The statement added: “At the DFB, we win and lose together, all of us, as a team.”

The DFB stressed it “would have been happy” if Ozil wanted to “continue being part of this team on that common basis, but he has chosen otherwise”. BERLIN — Mesut Ozil is quitting Germany’s national soccer team after receiving intense criticism over his decision to pose for a picture with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
Arsenal and German professional footballer Mesut Özil announces his retirement from international football, citing racism and disrespect.