Mesut Ozil is a German professional footballer who has played for some of the most renowned football clubs in the world, including Real Madrid, Arsenal, and now Fenerbahce. Ozil’s time at Real Madrid was particularly noteworthy, as he played a vital role in the club’s success during his three-year stint.
However, to the surprise of many fans and pundits alike, Ozil left Real Madrid in 2013 to join Arsenal. So why did Mesut Ozil leave Madrid? Let’s take a closer look.
Background
Mesut Ozil joined Real Madrid in 2010 from Werder Bremen for a fee of €15 million. His arrival was seen as a significant coup for Los Blancos, as he was widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents at the time. Ozil quickly established himself as a key player at Real Madrid and was an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s team that won the La Liga title in his first season at the club.
The Arrival of Gareth Bale
Despite playing an instrumental role in Real Madrid’s success during his first two seasons at the club, Mesut Ozil found himself surplus to requirements following Gareth Bale’s arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. The Welshman had just become the world’s most expensive player after joining Real Madrid for a fee of £85 million.
Impact on Playing Time
Gareth Bale’s arrival meant that there was increased competition for places in Real Madrid’s attack. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Angel Di Maria were already vying for spots in Mourinho’s starting lineup, and Bale added another potent attacking threat to an already star-studded attack.
The increased competition meant that Mesut Ozil found himself on the bench more often than not. He started just one game out of five at the start of the 2013/14 season, and it soon became clear that he was not part of Mourinho’s plans going forward.
The Fallout
Mesut Ozil’s lack of playing time, coupled with the arrival of Gareth Bale, led to rumors that he was unhappy at Real Madrid. The German international had reportedly been in talks with Arsenal over a potential move, and the Gunners eventually secured his signature in a club-record deal worth £42.5 million.
Ozil’s Departure
Mesut Ozil’s departure from Real Madrid came as a surprise to many, given his importance to the team during his time at the club. However, it was clear that he was not part of Mourinho’s plans going forward and that he needed to move on to secure regular playing time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mesut Ozil left Real Madrid in 2013 due to a combination of factors. The arrival of Gareth Bale meant that there was increased competition for places in Real Madrid’s attack, and Ozil found himself on the bench more often than not.
Additionally, there were rumors that he was unhappy at the club and wanted a new challenge elsewhere. Arsenal eventually secured his signature in a club-record deal worth £42.5 million, and he went on to establish himself as one of their best players during his time at the club.
- Key Takeaways:
- Mesut Ozil left Real Madrid in 2013 due to increased competition for places in the team’s attack following Gareth Bale’s arrival.
- Ozil found himself on the bench more often than not and needed regular playing time elsewhere.
- Arsenal eventually secured his signature in a club-record deal worth £42.
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