Ex-soccer star Mesuit Ozil joins Erdogan's political party in Turkey

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Özil has made a dramatic career pivot, joining Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a key leadership role. The World Cup-winning footballer was elected to the party's Central Decision-Making and Administrative Board during a congress on February 23, 2025, securing the 43rd position out of 75 slots.

Özil, who hung up his boots in 2023, has maintained strong ties with President Erdoğan throughout his career. Their relationship culminated in Erdoğan serving as best man at Özil's wedding in 2019, foreshadowing his eventual move into Turkish politics.

The 35-year-old's political career launch comes after a notable post-retirement period where he made headlines for his dramatic physical transformation through weightlifting. However, his social media activity, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, has kept him in the spotlight for different reasons.

On October 18, 2023, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Is there any reason to drop bombs every day, every hour, on innocent people and especially young children to kill them?! Definitely not. What a nightmare, where is humanity people? Free Palestine."

Stance on the Gaza War

Ozil has publicly expressed support for Palestine and called for an end to the Gaza war. In October 2023, he posted on X, saying, "Praying for humanity. Praying for peace and the innocent. Especially children... It is very heartbreaking and sad," accompanied by the Palestinian flag (Daily Mail).

His support for Palestine is not new; in 2021, while playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey, he wore a "Free Palestine" t-shirt, indicating a consistent stance (SportsBrief). More recently, in August 2024, Ozil shared an Instagram story featuring a map of Israel with a red cross over the word "Israel" and "PALESTINE" underlined below, a provocative gesture interpreted as denying Israel's existence (Middle East Monitor). This action drew criticism from Israeli media, highlighting the controversy surrounding his political expressions.

Alignment with Turkey's Political Stance

Ozil's entry into the AKP, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is significant given Turkey's outspoken criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. Turkey, under Erdoğan, has historically supported the Palestinian cause, including recognizing Hamas as a legitimate actor, and has been vocal against Israel's military operations. For instance, Erdoğan has compared Israel's actions to Nazi atrocities and threatened potential military intervention, reflecting a hardened stance (Al Jazeera). Given Ozil's close ties with Erdoğan, who served as his best man at his 2019 wedding, and his new role in the AKP, it is reasonable to infer that Ozil's views align with Turkey's position, which condemns the war and supports Palestinians.

Historical Context and Consistency

Ozil's advocacy extends beyond the current conflict, with past actions like donating his 2014 World Cup winnings to Gaza's children, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause (War in Context). His social media posts, such as thanking Celtic FC fans for singing "You'll never walk alone" with Palestinian flags during a Champions League match in October 2023, further illustrate his solidarity (DER SPIEGEL).

During his illustrious playing career, Özil was regarded as one of soccer's premier midfielders. He made 92 appearances for Germany, including their 2014 World Cup victory, before retiring from international football in 2018 amid controversy over his relationship with President Erdoğan. His club career included successful spells at Real Madrid and Arsenal, where he was known for his exceptional playmaking abilities.

His appointment to the AKP's administrative board marks his first formal step into political life, transitioning from informal support of Erdoğan's movement to an official party leadership position.

Channel 14 contributed to this article.