German football icon Uli Hoeness has again strongly criticised Mesut Özil, who has retired from international football.
Mesut Özil captaining Arsenal is a "miracle", according to Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness.
With Laurent Koscielny out through injury, Özil was named in a group of co-captains by new Arsenal head coach Unai Emery, though he was substituted in Saturday's Premier League loss at Chelsea.
The midfielder quit international football in the wake of Germany's shock World Cup exit at the group stage, suggesting he faced discrimination over his Turkish heritage.
Özil, along with Germany team-mate Ilkay Gundogan, was strongly criticised before the World Cup after being photographed with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Hoeness claimed last month Özil had not won a single "duel" on the pitch since before the 2014 World Cup, leading to the player's agent issuing a response to what he described as "foolish" comments from the Bayern president.
But Hoeness has again attacked Özil in an interview with Sky Sport Germany, saying the 29-year-old should have apologised for meeting Erdogan prior to the World Cup.
"We would have been spared the whole theatre," Hoeness said.
"Özil should have been forced to make a statement. But leaving that without explanation was probably the biggest mistake ever.
"I've been watching the player for a long time and he's a well-marketed product whose image is a lot better than he is, which is the only big blame for me.
"Had Löw gone to Arsenal more often in London and looked at him properly, he probably would not have taken him for sporting reasons.
"It is a miracle that he is now captain at Arsenal."
Bullockthesun
156
Why is this guy so obsessed with Özil and why do reporters keep giving him the time of day about this subject. His club hasn’t gotten past a spanish team in the UCL since 2013 when they won. He should be focusing on that instead of a player who hasn’t said or done anything to him.
fadeprt
143
If he think Ozil did not deserve to play for German, why did they choose him as a best player of the German National Team 5 times, more than any other German footballer? #Hater!
Danimessione
116
yea...d best players always get criticize for dem to blossom....nothing but hate for someone who has been d best player by far for d german national team consecutively since 2013 to 2017... kudos to bayern president for his' dis-illusional thought which is based on hate cos Ozil is not d only german player wu messed up at Russia 2018...much are from bayern munich
as_win10
103
This criticising us very much affecting Ozil now. I hope he will soon get his form back and make Arsenal win.
suecilmort
86
Bayern have been chasing ozil all their life but because he didn't sign for them now he is upset and now trying to criticize the player but I just hope ozil will try to take that off his mind and put smiles Ib his manager's face and also the fans coz the whole world knows you are a perfect play maker and also a powerful football technician go for your gold fine player
Fapckmrtz
53
To hell with the Bayern president. It's ozil to choose what is better for him. He is not from Germany every one knows that. He is a Turkish. That's all. And why should someone apologise for meeting his president. He is arsenal captain. if it hurts you go kill yourself. He will remain a hero in our eyes. The one the young generation look up to. look live brother . Happy Eid Ozil
rajkumart100
51
Bayren President will kill himself when arsenal defeats Bayren with ozil's hattrick😝
Kinaimpty
34
Hoeness has a personal issue with Ozil and needs to man up and stop dragging everyone else in his personal issues. It's becoming childish and silly for a whole president of a major football club to keep laying into a particular player. Hoeness, in keeping with dignity that your high office demands, give the boy a break!
Miuackoryz
20
Germans are jealous with mesut ozil if not why always mesut
Giz
16
Did hoeness have friends in WWll, he is so obsessed with Ozil?