Toni Kroos slams ‘out of order’ Mesut Ozil for manner of retirement | Sportsmonks
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Toni Kroos slams ‘out of order’ Mesut Ozil for manner of retirement

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has slammed his teammate Mesut Ozil for the manner in which he announced his international retirement following Germany’s shambolic World Cup 2018 campaign. Ozil, who was booed and jeered by his own country’s fans during several World Cup warmup matches for taking a photograph with Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan, retired from international football citing racism and disrespect as the reasons behind his decision. He had also slammed the German FA for not providing him with adequate support in the aftermath of that incident.

While his decision has been backed by many of his teammates and coaches, Kroos has come out and labelled Ozil’s allegations as ‘rubbish’ and ‘nonsensical’, calling the Arsenal midfielder ‘out of order’. Speaking to Bild, Kroos called Ozil out on the manner of his retirement, stating, “Basically Mesut is a deserved international and as a player he deserved a better departure. But the way he resigned was not in order. The parts in his statement that are rightly addressed are unfortunately overshadowed by the significantly higher amount of nonsense.

 

'I think he knows very well that racism within the national team and the DFB does not exist.'

The Arsenal midfielder was one of Germany’s stars in their run to the title in 2014, but could not replicate his performances this time around and was scapegoated following Die Mannschaft’s exit. Kroos too had a role to play in their dismal performances, but has stated that he will not follow Ozil into retirement but will instead stay and fight for more glory.

“I will continue towards Euro 2020 and have set myself the goal of being far more successful there than in the recent past,' Kroos stated. “I had a good talk with (national team coach) Joachim Loew. We will find solutions together so that I can get a break here and there,” he added.

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