Mesut Ozil Opens Up About Post-Retirement Life in Istanbul
Former Germany international and football star Mesut Ozil has provided a candid insight into his new life in Istanbul following his retirement from professional football in 2023. The 37-year-old, born to Turkish immigrant parents in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, has always maintained deep connections to his ancestral homeland, which ultimately led him to settle in Turkey after his stints at clubs like Arsenal, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, and Basaksehir.
A Lavish Lifestyle in Kucuk Camlica
Ozil has established himself in Istanbul's upmarket Kucuk Camlica district, where he purchased a plot of land in 2019 for an estimated $10 million (£7.45 million). The property boasts sweeping views over the Bosphorus and features a completed mega-mansion with a state-of-the-art gym and a unique circular water feature at the front. This stunning villa frequently serves as a backdrop for photoshoots by his wife, Amine, a former Miss Turkey World and social media influencer.
Close Ties with President Erdogan
The elite location places Ozil in close proximity to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was the best man at his 2019 wedding. Their friendship has remained strong, with Ozil reportedly able to visit Erdogan's address in Istanbul without prior invitation or notice when the president is in the city from Ankara. Such is their bond that Ozil's daughters, Eda and Ela, with a third daughter expected this year, are said to refer to Erdogan as 'Grandpa'.
Unhealed Family Rift with Father
Despite his comfortable lifestyle, Ozil revealed that he has still not healed the rift with his father, Mustafa, which began 13 years ago. The estrangement dates back to 2013 when Mustafa, then acting as Ozil's agent, failed to broker a contract extension at Real Madrid. At the time, the club accused Ozil and his father of 'greed', while Mustafa called club president Florentino Perez 'not an honourable man'. Mustafa later sued his son for £495,000 after being replaced in the agent role by Ozil's brother, Mutlu. While Ozil maintains contact with his mother, Gulizar, who is preparing to visit to support with their third child, bonds with his father remain severed.
Controversial Tattoo and Political Allegations
Ozil's post-retirement era has not been without controversy. In 2024, he showed off a tattoo in his home gym featuring a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons, symbols widely associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist, ultra-nationalist, and anti-Semitic group banned in countries like France and Austria. The group has been linked to violent acts, including an attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981. Due to these alleged political affiliations, Ozil was left off the guest list for a Werder Bremen tribute for former player Diego Ribas in 2025, with a club spokesperson stating his actions 'do not represent the club's values'.
Social Media Controversy
In 2024, Ozil was also alleged to have posted and deleted a map that appeared to deny the existence of Israel, showing it crossed out with a red X and the word 'Palestine' underlined in bold letters. Ozil has long been an outspoken supporter of Palestine amid regional conflicts. When asked by the Telegraph in 2025 if his tattoo referenced the Grey Wolves, his representatives did not respond.
Life Beyond Football
Despite keeping a low profile in Turkey, Ozil remains active through his football academy and charitable initiatives. His journey from a celebrated footballer to a controversial figure in retirement highlights the complexities of his personal and public life in Istanbul.
