Mesut Ozil’s post-retirement life in Istanbul
Since hanging up his boots in 2023, Mesut Ozil has established himself in Turkey’s largest city Istanbul, residing in a lavish property overlooking the Bosphorus strait, reports BritPanorama.
The former Arsenal playmaker acquired land in the prestigious Kucuk Camlica neighbourhood back in 2019 for a sum reportedly approaching $10 million. The 37-year-old has since transformed the site into an impressive residence featuring a well-equipped gymnasium and a distinctive circular water feature, which frequently appears in photographs taken by his wife, Amine.
According to Bild, the upmarket location places Ozil in close proximity to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who served as best man at the couple’s 2019 wedding. The pair share such a close bond that Ozil can reportedly visit the president’s residence without prior arrangement when Erdogan is in Istanbul from Ankara.
The relationship between Ozil and his daughters Eda and Ela is reportedly so intertwined with the Turkish leader that the children refer to Erdogan as ‘Grandpa’, with a third daughter expected this year.
Yet whilst family ties with the president flourish, Ozil’s bond with his father remains fractured after more than a decade. The former midfielder has allegedly had no contact with Mustafa since 2013, when negotiations for a contract extension at Real Madrid collapsed.
Mustafa, who was acting as his son’s agent at the time, clashed with the Spanish giants. Daily Mail Sport reported that the club accused the pair of ‘greed’, whilst Mustafa branded president Florentino Perez “not an honourable man”. The elder Ozil subsequently pursued legal action against his son for £495,000 after being replaced as agent by another son, Mutlu.
Despite the paternal estrangement, Ozil and his wife maintain contact with his mother Gulizar, who is reportedly preparing to visit Istanbul to assist with their third child. Though Ozil has maintained a relatively quiet existence in Turkey, focusing on his football academy and charitable endeavours, controversy has nonetheless followed him.
In 2024, footage emerged of the former midfielder exercising in his home gym, revealing a tattoo depicting a grey wolf alongside a flag bearing three crescent moons. These symbols are widely linked to the Grey Wolves, a far-right, ultra-nationalist organisation with anti-Semitic associations. The group has been prohibited in several nations, including France and Austria, and has historical connections to violent incidents, among them the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.
When the Telegraph enquired in 2025 whether the chest tattoo referenced the Grey Wolves, Ozil’s representatives declined to comment. The alleged affiliation cost him an invitation to Werder Bremen’s 2025 tribute for former player Diego Ribas. “We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the club’s values,” a spokesperson stated.
Further controversy arose in 2024 when Ozil allegedly shared and subsequently removed a social media post featuring a map that appeared to erase Israel from existence. The image reportedly displayed the region with Israel marked by a red X, whilst the word ‘Palestine’ was emphasised in bold lettering beneath. The former German international has long been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause amid ongoing regional tensions.
Despite these episodes attracting international attention, Ozil has largely retreated from public life since retiring from professional football. The 37-year-old now dedicates his time to running a football academy in Istanbul and supporting various charitable initiatives, maintaining a considerably lower profile than during his playing days at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s a life that illustrates how the path of sports figures can diverge dramatically after retirement, where personal choices and public perceptions collide in unexpected ways.
