Mesut Özil enters politics: Joins Turkey’s ruling party led by Erdogan – News – Nogomania

Mesut Özil (foto: Instagram)

Mesut Özil has joined Turkey’s ruling AKP party, led by President Erdogan, after being elected to its Executive Committee during the party’s 8th Congress.

Mesut Özil, the former Real Madrid midfielder and 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, has officially transitioned into politics. At 37 years old, the German-Turkish footballer was elected on Sunday as a member of the Executive Committee of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president since 2003.

Özil’s appointment took place during the 8th Congress of the AKP, a party founded by Erdogan in 2001 as a moderately conservative Islamist party. However, the party’s governance has faced increasing criticism in recent years for its authoritarian tendencies. Speaking before an audience of approximately 60,000 party members, Erdogan described the event as a celebration of the party’s long-standing success and presented his extended leadership as a model of stability and growth.

Özil, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, enjoyed a celebrated career at clubs such as Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, and Arsenal, where he made over 600 professional appearances. His international career with Germany spanned 92 matches and included 23 goals, culminating in the team’s 2014 FIFA World Cup victory.

However, Özil’s relationship with the German public soured in 2018 following a controversial meeting with Erdogan, during which he presented the Turkish president with an Arsenal jersey. The backlash in Germany—including accusations of political alignment—led Özil to retire from international football, citing racism and disrespect from the German Football Association (DFB) and parts of the media.

Özil later moved to Turkey, joining Fenerbahçe in 2020 and later Başakşehir, before announcing his retirement from football in March 2023. His transition into politics further solidifies his connection to Turkey, marking a new chapter in his post-football career.