Mesut Ozil names 2 former Arsenal stars in greatest XI he has played with

• Mesut Ozil recently named the best XI he has ever played with
• The former Real Marid and Arsenal man retired earlier in 2022
• His team included several German stars and a five-time Ballon d’Or winner

Former Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil made an interesting pick when tasked with selecting the best XI he has ever played alongside in his career.

Ozil announced he was hanging up his boots aged 34 earlier in 2023, in a decision that shocked many in the footballing world.

His decision to retire came midway through the 2022/23 season while playing for Turkish giants Istanbul Basaksehir's season.

Since his retirement, Ozil has stayed off the limelight, and his social media mostly comprises of videos of the German working out.

Recently, Ozil was tasked with refreshing his memory by naming some of the greatest players he has played alongside in his lucrative career.

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As a former Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid and Arsenal man, Ozil has certainly come across some of the greatest players in the game in his team.

But as seen on Eurofoot, the 34-year old was tasked with coming up with a starting XI of players he ranked as his greatest teammates.

Ozil’s best XI

It came as no surprise when Ozil chose Manuel Neuer in goal, as the two enjoyed great success at national level, including winning the World Cup in 2014.

Ozil’s back four comprised two former Germany teammates in Phillip Lahm and Jerome Boateng and two from his Real Madrid days in Marcelo and Sergio Ramos.

In the middle of the park, Ozil surprisingly included his former Arsenal teammate Santi Cazorla in his best XI alongside Xabi Alonso and himself in the Number 10 role.

Finally, the front three had Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and another former Arsenal teammate in Alexis Sanchez.

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In truth, there was no way Ozil could possibly fit all the brilliant players who were his former teammate in his starting XI.

One notable name that was missing from his team was Ricardo Kaka, whom he shared the stage with briefly at Real Madrid.

Ozil’s career

Ozil sprung onto the scene in 2006 with Schalke, and once be became a Bundesliga star, he was taken up by Werder Bremen two years later.

It was at the 2010 World Cup that the midfielder established himself as a world class player, prompting Real Madrid to sign him for £13million.

He won the La Liga and Copa del Rey during his time at Madrid, before sealing a £42.5m move to Arsenal in 2013.

With 44 goals in 254 appearances for the Gunners, Ozil became a cult hero at the club, before a sensational fallout with Mikel Arteta.

His final years as a professional footballer saw him play in Turkey for Fenerbahce and Basaksehir.

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Players Erik ten Hag fell out with

Sports Brief also reported on the number of players Erik ten Hag fell out with at Manchester United amid rumours of a rift with Raphael Varane.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were the two high-profile fallouts, forcing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner out of the club last year, and the England international could be out in January.