Footballers show Arsenal’s Mezut Ozil love on his birthday

Ozil    Picture: www.metro.co.uk

There is no doubt that Mezut Ozil is loved. The Arsenal midfielder turned 28 on Saturday and host of world-class footballers across Europe sent him video messages to wish him a happy birthday.

The Arsenal talisman capped the day by scoring a superb volley in the Gunners’ 3-2 victory over Swansea.  It turned out to be the winning goal. The victory catapulted the London club to the top of the Premier League, with Manchester City leading only on goals difference.

It was a befitting birthday present to the German maestro and no one could have written the script better.

After the match Ozil was pleasantly surprised by the video, which comprised of kind messages from his present and former colleagues. The playmaker, who is used to dazzling fans on the pitch, was clearly touched by the outpouring of love from his fellow footballers.

The six-minute video also included a small clip of an emotional Ozil's reactions as he watched each message. He smiled frequently and occasionally burst into laughter.

Messages came from his international teammates in the German national team. The likes of Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich, Germany), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City, England), Antonio Rudiger (Roma, Italy) and Sami Khedira (Juventus, Italy) featured in the video.

Others were Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Emre Can (Liverpool, England), Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg, Germany), and Leroy Sane (Manchester City, England).

His former teammates at Real Madrid were not left out with captain Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso (now with Bayern Munich) featuring.

Ozil is the most expensive player in Arsenal’s history, having joined from Real Madrid in 2013 for £42.5 million. It was therefore befitting that his Gunners teammates were not left out of the celebration.

Olivier Giroud, who has been missing in action due to a toe injury, sent the shortest message. Raising his eyebrow mischievously, the French striker simply said, "Bon anniversair mon gar," which translates to: “Happy birthday my boy.”

Granit Xhaka, whose clumsy tackle on Saturday earned him a red card thus jeopardizing Arsenal’s chances of winning the match, also sent a lovely message to the birthday boy.

Messages also came from fellow Germans Per Mertesaker and Shkodran Mustafi, as well as Santi Carzola and Peter Cech. Even former Gunners Mathieu Flamini and Robert Pires joined to make the playmaker’s day.

An obviously elated Ozil uploaded the video on Facebook with the caption: “Thank you to all my friends, teammates and of course my fans for your overwhelming birthday wishes.

“I'd like to share this special video from my team with you – what a surprise! I'm blessed to have you all.”

If Ozil’s friends could do this on his 28th birthday, one wonders what would happen when he reaches the landmark 30 years in two years time.