How may I assist you? Mesut Ozil, one of the greatest playmakers in soccer history

In a statement released on his social media accounts on the 23^rd of March, former Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from football, aged 34.

According to Ozil's Twitter account, the German said, "I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. Having suffered some injuries, it's become more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football."

Ozil is one of the greatest playmakers in the history of soccer and will be remembered as one of the last traditional 'Number Tens' in the game.

Let's look back through his career with some of the biggest teams in Europe.

Mesut Ozil made his professional debut for Schalke 04 in Germany in 2006. After declining an offer of a new contract, Ozil joined Werder Bremen in January 2008.

In two seasons for Werder Bremen, Ozil led his side to a DFB-Pokal Cup and a UEFA Cup final. His creative genius was on show at a young age, contributing 32 assists and 12 goals in the Bundesliga.

After an impressive spell at the 2010 World Cup, Mesut Ozil joined the Spanish giants Real Madrid. In Madrid, Ozil would become the most impactful attacking midfielder in the world.

In three seasons in Spain, Ozil was the top assist maker in all three years, finishing on more assists than any other player in Europe in his first season with 25, becoming the top assist maker in La Liga in his second season with 17 and finished on 26 assists in his final season.

In Madrid, Ozil won three trophies, winning La Liga in 2011-12, the Copa Del Rey in 2010-11, and the Supercopa de Espana in 2012.

His talent was unquestionable, but after a loss of faith from Real Madrid, Ozil decided to join English giants Arsenal in September 2013.

With an impressive end to his career at Real Madrid and his early form with Arsenal, Ozil was nominated for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or and made the UEFA Team of the Year.

In eight years with Arsenal, Ozil became a legend, ending his career as the fourth-highest assist-maker in the club's Premier League history, finishing on 59 in his spell.

The German player won five trophies at Arsenal, securing four FA Cup trophies in six seasons, a Community Shield, and finished runners-up in the Europa League and EFL Cup.

Ozil fell out with Arsenal at the end of 2021, eventually joining the club he supported as a boy, Fenerbahce.

Ozil played for Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir in an injury-ridden two-year spell in Turkey. He subsequently announced his retirement from the game in March 2023, aged 34.

Ozil excelled at the international level for the German National team, playing 92 times and featuring at three World Cup finals, including a World Cup win in 2014.

According to bbc.co.uk, Ozil said, "It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions."

In a spell between 2008 and 2018, Ozil provided 122 assists in ten seasons. The only player to supply more in the same time frame is Lionel Messi.