Ex-Arsenal midfielder ‘set’ to quit football and become professional gamer

Mesut Ozil could be set to quit football for good and take up a career in gaming, according to an interview with The Telegraph.

The 33-year-old left Arsenal and joined Fenerbahce only last year, however he had since endured a public falling out with former boss Ismail Kartal and was banished from the first team.

With two years left on his contract in Turkey, Ozil hasn’t played for Fenerbahce since March and looks unlikely to force his way back into the club’s plans.

With Ozil previously claiming he intends on ending his career with Fenerbahce, it raises the question as to what happens now in the latter stages of the German’s career.

According to The Telegraph’s interview with agent Dr. Erkut Sogat, he believes the World Cup winner could turn his back on football if he has no choice but to leave Fenerbahce.

Sogat said: “I think he will not play football in any other club any more. I can’t see that – it will be Fenerbahce and that’s it.

“He will go more into esports, play himself and maybe become an esports athlete. He’s really good, to be honest, at Fortnite and I think one day I wouldn’t be surprised if he is competing. He owns a team – M10 Esports – and he has players. He has a gaming house in Germany. He has football, like Fifa, and Fortnite.”

More and more footballers and celebrities are beginning to invest in the esports space, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Jesse Lingard and Casemiro forming their own teams across various games such as FIFA and Rocket League.

Ozil certainly wouldn’t be retiring from football empty handed, having one one La Liga title, one Copa del Ray, three FA Cups and the 2014 World Cup.

During this season’s brief spell on the pitch for the Turkish side, Ozil scored eight goals and assisted another two in the Super Lig.