Mesut Ozil has effectively closed the door on international football, citing criticism from the media and the German football federation president that struck him as racist.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he said that he “will no longer be playing for Germany… whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.”
The German national football association, the DFB, did not carry news of the playmaker’s retirement on its website or social media accounts.
Ozil said he could not accept “German media outlets repeatedly blaming my dual-heritage and a simple picture for a bad World Cup on behalf of an entire squad”.
He added: “I am German when we win, but an immigrant when we lose.”
Ozil earned 92 caps for Germany since his debut in 2009. He was a key member of the country’s 2014 World Cup-winning side.
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