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Mesut Ozil was once one of the best footballers in the world and helped Germany lift the 2014 World Cup.

The 34-year-old is in the twilight of his career but still has the quality and guile to unlock any defence, but he won't be doing that in Qatar.

Ozil has made 92 appearances for his country
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Ozil has made 92 appearances for his country

And the former Arsenal and Real Madrid man hasn't played for Die Mannschaft since the 2018 World Cup.

Germany endured a horrible tournament, and he played the full 90 minutes in their two defeats to Mexico and South Korea.

Why doesn't Ozil play for the German national team?

In May 2018, Ozil met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan has been accused of human rights abuses but has also spoken out on German politics in the past, which angered the German public.

Ozil then turned up to the World Cup and contributed to Die Mannschaft's worst display at a major tournament for a long time.

Ozil enjoyed a wonderful international career
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Ozil enjoyed a wonderful international career

Germany were knocked out in the group stages after a 2-0 defeat to South Korea.

Ozil, who has Turkish ancestry, was heavily criticised for his involvement in Germany's campaign.

The then-Arsenal man believed the criticism to be racist and announced he was stepping away from the national team.

In a statement, he said: "The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt.

"I feel unwanted and think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten."

Ozil's time as a German international is over
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Ozil's time as a German international is over

Ozil also made a specific dig at former DFB president Reinhard Grindel: “People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual‑heritage families.

"Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent. In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose."

The DFB denied any claims they were racist.

Last year after signing for Fenerbahce, Ozil was asked if he had plans to return to the national team, but he revealed he had no intention of playing for Die Mannschaft: “I wish the German national team success, but I will never play for them again."

So despite playing in five major international tournaments, the ex-Werder Bremen man won't play for Germany ever again and they will have to manage without him in Qatar.

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