Mesut Ozil: Why I Idolised Zinedine Zidane Growing Up

By The Editor
on 18th May 2017

Mesut Ozil idolised Zidane growing up…

https://youtu.be/yCcwqK21SiQ

Mesut Ozil has once again named Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane as the player he idolised growing up with the German star now able to say that he’s met his hero.

Ozil, who played at Real Madrid while Zidane held the position of sporting director, the 28-year-old feels he shares similarities with the French legend.

Zidane redefined the ‘No.10’ role during his playing days and is almost the go-to name when one aims to define that role – similar to his compatriot Claude Makelele.

In this era, Ozil has assumed the role as the classic No.10 and it’s clear to see why he identifies with the Real Madrid boss.

“I always saw him as a complete player,” Ozil told Arsenal Player.

“He could use both feet, was dangerous in front of goals, strong defensively, good in the air and had an unbelievable first touch.

“I watched what he’d do on the pitch and want to do it myself when I was a young kid. Most things I picked up quickly, thank God.”

If there’s anything Ozil can add to his game which Zidane had in his repertoire, it’s puffing his chest out and aiming to win a game on his own.

Zidane was a creator, but he also made it his business to shift the director of a whole game with one swing of his gifted boot.

As we’ve seen during his Werder Bremen days, Ozil is most certainly capable. Let’s just hope he’s strutting his stuff at the Emirates Stadium in the future.