Former German national team footballer Mesut Ozil joined Erdogan's AKP party.

[JeremyVickers]

Former German national team footballer Mesut Ozil has entered politics by joining the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party AKP. Ozil a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, was elected to the AKP's central decision and executive committee during a party congress in Ankara on 24 February 2025. After playing for teams like Real Madrid Arsenal, and Fenerbahce, Ozil resigned from professional football in 2023, this move represents a huge change for him.

For many years there has been discussion about Ozil's ties with Erdogan. Ozil retired from international football in 2018 after a picture of him with Erdogan caused uproar in Germany. He accused the German Football Association and media of racism stating "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose". Ozil has maintained a close connection with Erdogan, who served as the best man at his wedding in 2019. This affiliation is viewed as a calculated attempt by Erdogan to increase the popularity of his party by enlisting well-known individuals like Ozil and Alpay Ozalan, a former Aston Villa defender and AKP lawmaker.

Ozil has consistently supported Erdogan and his policies, which is reflected in his decision to enter Turkish politics. Ozil has been outspoken about his political beliefs, including denouncing China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims and offering commentary on the Nagorno - Karabakh conflict, despite criticism for his affiliation with Erdogan. His choice to join the AKP demonstrates the party's attempts to entice powerful people to join it, maybe using their notoriety to raise its political profile. As Ozil begins his political career his role within the AKP is likely to be closely watched given his international profile and the ongoing political dynamics in Turkey.