Former Germany international, Mesut Ozil has transitioned into politics after joining Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party.
The former Real Madrid and Arsenal playmaker was named on the ruling AK Party’s, Central Decision and Management Board during a party congress on Sunday.
The 36-year-old, who is of Turkish descent, received criticism later in his career because of his relationship with Erdogan.
Ozil retired from the German national team in 2018 and eventually retired from the game in 2023 after a photo of him meeting the Turkish president in London caused uproar.
Some German politicians even questioned Ozil’s loyalty to Germany, suggesting he should be removed from the national squad ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ozil has publicly supported Erdogan’s policy and openly called for his election.
Erdogan was a guest at Ozil’s wedding in Turkey in 2019.
The two were seen together again during the Netherlands vs Turkey match in 2024, where they shared a seat in the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
