sport news Inside Mesut Ozil's life after retirement as the ex-Arsenal star showcases a ... trends now
Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil called time on a glittering career a little over a year ago, opting to immediately hang up his boots part way through a disappointing Turkish Super League season.
The prolific creator had by that point found himself at Istanbul Basaksehir, having gone through a very public break-up with Arsenal, with whom he had enjoyed several stellar campaigns.
'I'm looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela.' The World Cup winner said in a statement announcing his retirement. 'But you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels.'
Ozil certainly has fulfilled that pledge in the 13 months that have followed, as fans have been treated to a jaw dropping body transformation, wholesome family snaps, political advocacy and a whole lot more.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at what the assist king has been getting up to since he stepped away from the game.
Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star has been making the most of his newfound free time since retiring in 2023
He won back-to-back FA Cups in his first two seasons at Arsenal, above pictured with Bacary Sagna after winning the 2014 final against Hull City at Wembley Stadium
The Ozil family are regularly seen on the former footballer's social media accounts. The happy quartet live in Istanbul, where the ex-midfielder finished his career
There's only one place to start, presumably where Ozil now begins and finishes most of his days: the gym.
The midfielder would often be the leanest player on the pitch during his career but that frame has since made way for a much bulkier one.
In March, his personal coach, Alper Aksac, has shared a new photo showcasing the staggering progress that Ozil has made.
Aksac captioned the photo: 'Nothing better. For the best one ever,' with a weightlifting emoji.
The week prior, Cristiano Ronaldo shared his support for his former Real Madrid team-mate, after Ozil had posted a clip of him using a set of battle ropes before pushing a weighted sled up and down the length of a gym.
The 35-year-old, who played at Los Blancos with Ronaldo between 2010 and 2013, captioned the video: 'Always stay ready, then you don't need to get ready.'
He also added a 'sand timer' and a '100' emoji to the caption, sparking some speculation among fans that he could be considering a return to football.
Ronaldo lauded his gruelling workout, with a winking emoji and writing: 'Bro not bad.'
Though, not everyone has been impressed with his sudden change.
Ozil's former Germany team-mate Mario Gomez claimed he was attempting to become a 'little Ronaldo' and implied his dramatic turn could point to deeper issues often associated with retirement.
'I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good.' Gomez told the Phrasenmaher podcast last week.
'I don't know what his mission is behind this. It looks a bit crass and wouldn't be my thing - but that's not the point.
'When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you.
'Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym. He also played with Ronaldo and maybe thinks: Now I have time to become a little Cristiano.'
Ozil has undergone a dramatic body transformation since retiring from football last year
The ex-Real Madrid star was lauded for his workouts by his old team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo
Ozil has showed off his staggering body transformation in a photo on Instagram (right) in which he has a muscle-bound frame compared to his lean physique at Arsenal (left in 2013)
It appears intense workouts are just part of the post-career picture for Ozil, who has recently publicised a newfound hobby. The former Germany international posted an image of himself on Instagram riding a horse earlier this month.
He captioned the picture: 'If the horse is not a Turk, it is a burden.' Days later he was joined by his wife Amine, who smiled as she was pictured in the saddle.
