Mesut Özil was born on October 15, 1988, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Of Turkish descent, Özil has always maintained a strong connection to his German identity. He developed a passion for football at an early age, beginning to play when he was just six years old. His family, including his parents Mustafa and Gülizar, and his siblings Mutlu, Nese, and Dugyu, all shared a love for the game.
Özil began his youth football journey with local clubs Falke Gelsenkirchen and Westfalia 04 Gelsenkirchen. In 2000, he signed with Rot-Weiss Essen, where he honed his skills over five years. His talent soon caught attention, and in 2005, he moved to the youth academy of Schalke 04. Although he became one of Schalke’s most promising players, he had limited appearances and scoring opportunities in the first team.
In January 2008, Özil transferred to Werder Bremen for a fee of approximately €4 million. He quickly became a regular starter, showcasing his playmaking abilities. During his time with the club, he scored 13 goals across two seasons. That same year, he played a key role in Germany's victory at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, enhancing his reputation as one of the nation’s brightest young talents.
Özil made his senior debut for the Germany national team on February 11, 2009, in a match against Norway. He was widely recognized as a future leader of the national squad. On August 17, 2010, he signed with Spanish giants Real Madrid in a deal reportedly exceeding €15 million. The move marked a significant milestone not only in his playing career but also socially, as he received the Bambi Award for being a notable example of successful integration into German society.
| Birth Date: | 15 Oct, 1988 |
| Age: | 31 yrs |
| Occupations: | Association football player |
| Citizenship: | Germany Turkey |
| Birth Place: | Gelsenkirchen |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | German association football player |
| Spouse: | Amine Gülşe [M. 2019] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 120 million |
