Mesut Ozil Turns 35: When Ex Arsenal Star Scored Memorable Champions League Goal Against Ludogorets

• Mesut Ozil is known as one of the best playmakers of all time
• The World Cup winner not only assisted his teammates but also scored some important goals for his team
• In November 2016, he scored one of the greatest goals of all time for Arsenal in the Champions League

Mesut Ozil scored some spectacular goals in his illustrious career, but his incredible winner against Ludogorets in the Champions League in November 2016 is by far the best goal the World Cup winner has scored.

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker turns 35 today, October 15, and fans have been sending their birthday wishes while celebrating the best moments of his career.

On a chilly night night in November 1 2016, Ozil provided a moment of magic for Arsenal in their Champions League clash against Ludogorets that has kept fans talking for years.

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The game was finely poised at 2-2 after a flurry of goals in the first half, and up stepped Ozil, the playmaker from Germany.

In the 87th minute, the playmaker showed breathtaking composure to score one of the greatest goals in the Champions League.

After receiving a clipped pass from Mohamed Elneny, he chipped the ball over advancing Ludogorets goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Two Ludogorets defenders tried to thwart Ozil, but he put them on skates with a drop of the shoulder before firing past an empty net, per the Guardian.

The goal gave Arsenal a 3-2 win and a ticket to the last 16. A few things have changed since then for the Gunners. It remains an iconic goal for Ozil.

Ozil announces retirement

On March 22 2023, Ozil announced that he had retired from football at 34, per BBC.

He retired having won nine trophies at Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany. He played 92 times for Germany, helping them win the 2014 World Cup.

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He began his career in Germany with Schalke and Werder Bremen before moving to Real Madrid, where he won the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey.

He remains one of the best playmakers of his generation. He finished with 262 assists in his career.

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.