Mesut Özil enters politics after playing football

Mesut Özil, a former midfielder for Real Madrid and Arsenal who retired in 2023 following a last stint with Istanbul Basaksehir, has made his formal political debut.

Long recognized for his strong relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the 36-year-old has now assumed a new position outside of football.

Özil joined the central council of Erdoğan’s political party, the AKP, Turkish media revealed on Sunday. His decision to leave the football field and enter the political sphere ushers in a new era in his career.