Mesut Özil

MESUT OZIL

Real Madrid

Mesut Özil and Daniele Bonera duringReal Madrid – Milan, 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.

Due to his performances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he ensured his place among Europe's top young talents. He was sought by teams like F.C. Barcelona, Arsenal F.C., and Manchester United and reports even claimed that a deal was struck for a transfer to Barca. Werder Bremen denied the report and on 17 August 2010 the team announced that they had reached an agreement with Real Madrid.The transfer fee is believed to have been in the region of €15 million. He made his debut on 22 August in a friendly match against Hércules, which Real Madrid won 3–1.

Özil warming up againstLeicester City in a pre-seasonfriendly in 2011.

Özil's jersey numbers were changed often before the season started. He was given the number 26 in the pre-season and 19 for his debut. But following the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart, he was given the vacant 23.

Özil was brought in to back up teammate Kaka, but due to his surgery, Özil obtained a starting role. He then made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid as a substitute for Ángel di María in the 62nd minute against Mallorca, which Real Madrid drew 0–0. Özil made his season debut in Champions League on 15 September. He got his first assist with Real Madrid in the 74th minute against Ajax after he crossed in the ball, resulting in a Higuaín goal. Özil's performances for Real Madrid have been praised by media, fans and players.

He walked off the pitch as a second half substitute to standing ovations in his first two games as a starter at the Santiago Bernabéu. His first goal came in a league match against Deportivo La Coruña on 3 October 2010, in a 6–1 victory. Özil's first Champions League goal with Real came in the 14th minute against Milan on 19 October 2010.On 22 December he made his debut in Copa del Rey, scoring once in a 8–0 victory over Levante.

On 6 March 2011, after providing two assists in a 3–1 victory over Racing Santander, Özil was greatly praised by worldwide media thanks to his performance on the pitch, thus consolidating his outstanding season so far. He finished the 2010–11 season with Madrid with 25 assists, the highest for any player in any major European competition that season.

Özil began wearing the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid in 2011–12, signalling Jose Mourinho's intent to use the German international as his main playmaker. On 14 August 2011, Özil scored his first goal against Barcelona in the first leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España. On 17 August 2011, Özil was sent off in the last minute of the second leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España after an altercation with David Villa. Özil expressed his desire to end his football days at the club in an interview with German magazinekicker, saying "I'd like to end my career at Real Madrid. I know it will be difficult because I have many more years ahead of me and many younger and good players will also be out there, but I want to be part of that future. I know what I'm capable of and I'm convinced I'll stay at Real Madrid many years."

Özil was on the short-list of this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or award.