Retired soccer star Mesut Özil, once a top offensive midfielder in Europe and a star for Real Madrid, Arsenal and the German national team, ignited controversy on Tuesday with a provocative Instagram story featuring a crossed-out map of Israel and the word "PALESTINE" in its stead.
Özil, known for his controversial political statements and close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, faced significant criticism in Germany throughout his career.
Last season, he retired from professional soccer but recently made headlines for other reasons. Özil was photographed in a gym with his personal trainer, displaying a wolf tattoo, the symbol of the Grey Wolves movement, associated with Erdoğan.
The Grey Wolves, linked to Turkey's far-right Nationalist Movement Party, are known for their fascist and racist tendencies, advocating for a single Turkish state spanning from the Balkans to China and holding racist views against non-Turks, particularly Kurds, Albanians, Greeks, Jews and Armenians.
During the recent Euro 2024 tournament, Turkish national team defender Merih Demiral was suspended for two games after performing a salute linked to the Grey Wolves following Turkey's victory over Austria.
Özil's most significant achievement was winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014. He made 92 appearances for the national team, scoring 23 goals.
Özil retired from the national team after the 2018 World Cup amid criticism for being photographed with Erdoğan, saying, "I am German when we win, but an immigrant when we lose." His statement resonated with many Turks, who retweeted it with the hashtag #ME2.