Mesut Özil's Father Fires Back at Basler's Criticism
After Basler (54), a pundit on Sport1, bashed Özil (35) two weeks ago, Özil's father, Mustafa, has responded with a strong rebuke. Basler accused Özil of not contributing to Germany's World Cup victory in 2014 and suggested that the 2014 World Champion should not be welcomed back to Germany.
Özil's father, born and raised in Germany, fiercely defended his son and accused Basler of using harsh and outrageous words. He pointed out that Özil was naturalized, grew up in Germany, and worked diligently to help Germany secure the 2014 World Cup title. Mustafa Özil also alluded to a possible reason for Basler's vitriolic attack - a past issue with Basler's brother-in-law, who tried recruiting Özil for Schalke but was turned down.
Despite the controversy, many have praised Özil's career achievements. He's not only a World Champion but also played 92 international matches, scored the winning goal in the DFB Cup for Bremen, and enjoyed fantastic success playing for Real Madrid and Arsenal. In contrast, Basler's career highlights pale compared to Özil's.
The ongoing rift between Basler, Özil, and the DFB has triggered debates about racism and diversity within German football. Many believe that Basler's comments were dismissive and unwarranted, while others argue that the media and the DFB have not always treated Özil with respect.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards reconciliation and a greater focus on addressing racism in German football. The German Football Association (DFB) has acknowledged the need to change its approach and has taken steps to promote diversity and combat racism. As the cultural landscape in German football evolves, it's hoped that Özil and Basler can eventually mend their relationship.
Integrating Insights:
Mario Basler, a former German footballer, once criticized Mesut Özil for his handling of allegations of racism from the German Football Association (DFB) and the media. Basler's controversial comments sparked a larger debate about racism and diversity within German football. However, more recently, the DFB has taken measures to improve its approach to racism and promote diversity, signaling a move towards reconciliation and a more harmonious environment for players like Özil.
Basler made headlines in 2018 when he blasted Özil's behavior, accusing him of not handling media scrutiny well. Many felt that Basler's critique overlooked systemic problems within German football, and his words were widely viewed as dismissive of Özil's experiences. Despite this, there have been no public reconciliations between the two, and it remains unclear whether their strained relationship will improve.
Mustafa Özil's (Mesut Özil's father) response to Basler's criticism included accusations of resentment from the past, when a family member of Basler's tried to sign Özil for another team but was rejected. This past incident may have fueled tensions between the two, leading to Basler's harsh attack on Özil.
As the culture of German football evolves to emphasize diversity and combat racism, there has been a noticeable shift in the DFB's stance on these issues. If this trend continues, it could potentially lead to a more harmonious relationship between Basler and Özil in the future, although this specific goal remains private and not publicly announced.
