Mesut Ozil. Magical Poetry in football

Ozil bids adieu. A look at football’s Wizard of Oz(il)

Mesut Ozil, the silky magician on the football field, has announced his retirement.

Football is, for many who are fans, an antidote to the poison in their daily lives. For some, it is a vent to the pressures of life, while for others, it is a joyride.

For the players themselves, no matter which level they play, it is a passion. Most of them train hard, keep at it, and succeed through the power of sheer perseverance. However, there are a few who, as they say, were born to play the sport. Through sheer talent, they make it to the top and make the sport look easy and beautiful. There have been many of these geniuses who have graced the sport and enriched it.

Ozil was elegance personified.

The silky German, who made football look ridiculously easy, was one of the most elegant players in the modern era. As Ozil called it a day, a career of sheer beauty and controversies came to an end. While there would be differing opinions about his political views and the associated controversies, there is no one who would not doff his hat to the lazy elegance that he brought to the field.

Ozil on the field was a joy to watch. Floating around the field with a dreamy look, he would look out of place on the field as frantic activity happened around him. It was as if there were two worlds out there, one where mere mortals buzzed around and another where Ozil floated around almost in slow motion.

The assist king

For all the years he played for Germany and clubs like Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, and Arsenal, Ozil would be remembered more for the goals he created than the ones he scored. In a career spanning almost 15 years, he created a staggering 250-odd assists.

Tight spaces, defensive walls, impossible angles—no matter what, Ozil could create a pass. And more than once, it would make the defence look silly or sometimes frozen in the frame.

One gentleman who would agree more than anyone else would be Ronaldo. Playing alongside Ozil at Real Madrid, Ronaldo was a thankful recipient of many incisive, served-on-a-silver platter passes Ozil could conjure out of nowhere. In three seasons between 2010 and 2013, Ronaldo scored a total of 110 goals, and Ozil had an assist count of 54.

When he left Real Madrid to sign for Arsenal, an angry Ronaldo said:.

Leaving Real Madrid, Ozil joined Arsenal and continued with his assisting ways. Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, and even Aubameyang were the beneficiaries as he continued to create chances where none existed. Ozil was a natural fit for the Arsenal way of football. He just added a shine to Wenger’s style of lucid, free-flowing football.

In a glittering career, including winning the World Cup, Ozil created moments to savour for those who love the beauty of the sport. The sheer audacity of his feint touches and through balls made it riveting to watch. His ability to spring into action, float in behind defences, and find that impossible pass made it easy for his attacking teammates. Some of his records speak for his influence on the game that he so elegantly graced.

He was often accused of being lazy and of shying away from putting in the hard grind. While it might have been true, Ozil more often than not created something that genius creates. When you have been blessed with talent as he was, it was difficult not to be different.

As Ozil leaves the scene, what could be a better tribute than to watch a few of his mesmerising moves and thank him for having graced the game with his wizardry?

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