German Chancellor Merkel: 'Ozil deserves respect'

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Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said Mesut Ozil "has taken a decision that must be respected," showing support to his quitting from the German national football team.

"The Chancellor values Mesut Ozil very much. Ozil is a fantastic football player who has done a lot for the national team," said a German government spokesperson.

"Germany is a cosmopolitan country and the integration of people with immigration backgrounds is a key objective of the federal government."

The strong support from Merkel is not the only one that Ozil has received. The Arsenal midfielder is also backed by Turkey side, with Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu calling the decision "honorable" and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül congratulating Ozil for scoring "the most beautiful goal," according to media Politico.

Ozil has been in the midst of controversy after quitting the national team along with a strongly worded statement he released targeting the German Football Association (DFB) on social media. He accused of the DFB and German media for using him as a "scapegoat" for the defeat of Germany during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The midfielder's dual heritage – both German and Turkish blood – caused a stir when he was pictured with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May when the president was on a state visit to England. Ozil believed this meeting had no political implications, saying "it was about me respecting the highest office in my family's country," instead of an endorsement of Erdogan's policies.