Mesut Ozil Reveals How Jose Mourinho Helped Him Choose Real Madrid Over Barcelona

• Mesut Ozil has disclosed that Jose Mourinho played a key role in convincing him to join Real Madrid
• Ozil joined Los Blancos in 2010 as a 21-year-old midfielder from Bundesliga club Werder Bremen
• The German made 159 appearances for Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and the Copa del Rey

Mesut Ozil has revealed the key decision that made him sign for Real Madrid in 2010 despite a long-standing interest from rivals, Barcelona.

The 34-year-old German midfielder recently announced his retirement from football after a stellar career that saw him represent top clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal.

According to Football Espana, Ozil has now confessed that Jose Mourinho was the deciding factor why he snubbed La Blaugrana to sign for Los Blancos when he made his biggest career move.

“[Mourinho] gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps. The visit in Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn’t bother to meet me."

Ex Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil blasts the quality of recent El Clasico matches

Football

Ozil said Mourinho was undoubtedly the most important element of his choice.

“After my visits, my decision was one hundred percent clear: I wanted to be a Madridista.”

Ozil would go on to make 159 appearances for Real Madrid, winning one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey before joining Arsenal in 2013.

Ozil cried after Madrid exit

Meanwhile, Ozil has revealed he had tears in his eyes when he boarded the flight from the airport in the Spanish capital following his departure from Real Madrid in 2013, Marca reports.

The German midfielder had fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and after a conflict with president, Florentino Perez, decided to look for another team.

Ozil would later pen a lucrative deal to join English Premier League giants, Arsenal but not without regretting leaving Real Madrid where he was undoubtedly loved by the club's fans.

5 players Barcelona signed with Ronaldinho in 2003

Football

Essien pays tribute to Ozil

Sports Brief also reported on former Ghana and Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien paying tribute to Ozil following the German's retirement.

The former Real Madrid star announced he would be hanging up his boots on March 22 after a successful 17 years in football at all levels.

The 2014 World Cup winner played together with Essien during the Ghanaian's brief loan spell at Spanish giants, Real Madrid.