Ozil looks forward to being remembered as a magician

- You used to be seen as a magician on the pitch. Now, looking back on your career after retiring, how do you feel?

- I would never call myself that, but I always try to make moves and passes on the pitch that no one would expect. I think that's why I got that nickname. And if this means the fans feel entertained, like they're watching some kind of magic show, then I'm happy.

- He has scored 114 goals and assisted 222 times in his career. What brings you more joy?

- Goals, assists or even passes that open a goal, which not many people remember, but in the end, the most important thing is the victory of the team. I always try to make my teammates shine as bright as possible and think my style of play is to do that. I always hope the team thinks so because selfishness doesn't help the team win. So I don't understand when the media say that I should be more selfish and shoot more.

- What is your first memory in your career?

- When I was a child, I was often told that I would not become a professional footballer, that I was too small... things like that. But I don't care and focus on myself. I am very excited to sign my first professional contract with Schalke and play my first matches in the Bundesliga. Other things like playing for Real or winning the World Cup in the end are just rewards, and that's unbelievable. But the highlight of my career was, of course, winning the 2014 World Cup, needless to say.

- How do you feel when you retire at the age of 34?

- I am sure that retiring is the right decision. Luckily, I didn't have many injuries and stayed healthy for most of my career. But the last few months, I felt very heavy and could not help the home team as much as before. So I told the Basaksehir Club my thoughts, and we quickly found a solution.

- What do you plan to do next and do you want to continue to be involved in football?

- I don't know with 100% certainty what will happen in the coming months and years. But for now, I'll really just focus on family in Turkey. I have a wife and two beautiful daughters, and I want to see my children grow up. My two daughters are the two greatest gifts I have ever received in my life and I enjoy every moment with them.

At the moment, I have no plans to become a coach or in the football business. I've been into the sport for almost 17 years and loved it most of the time. I feel very grateful and lucky. But those who follow me know I don't like being in the spotlight, giving interviews, appearing in the public eye. I will really enjoy more peace in the coming life.

- What are you most proud of in your career?

- Not goals, assists, wins or trophies. Instead it was an opportunity to spread awareness of my name and access topics that mattered to me. To be able to give something back to those less fortunate, especially in Africa and South America. For sure, I will continue to do these jobs after I retire. This is what my mother taught me and is something I am really proud of.

- How was your first professional match with Schalke?

- I was very shy at that time, but confident in my skills. Mirko Slomka was my coach at the time, he just said I should enjoy the game and that's what I did. It was against Frankfurt in 2006, in front of 60,000 fans and they were all shouting my name. It was an unbelievable feeling in one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe at the time and gave me goosebumps.

- Then Werder Bremen, the World Cup in South Africa and Real Madrid. Who was the first contact from Real and how did the negotiations go?

"This is a decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and it doesn't depend on the money.". At that time, I visited Madrid and Barcelona. The difference was Jose Mourinho, who gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. I have seen great stadiums and all the trophies they have won - it makes me very excited. "The trip to Barcelona was not very pleasant, and the most disappointing thing was that Pep Guardiola didn't take the time to see me.". Before I left, I really liked the football style of Barcelona and I could really see that I had joined the club. So Mourinho is definitely the biggest factor in my decision. After the trip, my decision was clear: to become a Madrid native.

- Werder Bremen was reluctant to let you go. How did you feel then?

- I remember that there were difficult negotiations between the two clubs. But in the end, Bremen didn't want to lose me on a free form next summer and that's why I always believed the transfer would happen. I told Klaus Allofs, Bremen's sporting director, that I really wanted to leave and didn't know when I would get an opportunity like this again in my life.

- And then he went to Real. What do you remember about the day you debuted the club?

I was only 21 years old then. I played in the European Cup with Bremen and attended the 2010 World Cup with Germany, but even so, I don't have the experience of being surrounded by as many photographers and journalists as when I went to Real. I find it difficult and very nervous to face it. But it was a very special day. No club introduces new recruits like Real. It suddenly dawned on me that this was the next level. Or not just the next level, it's a notch above Bremen.

- All the fans at the Bernabeu fell in love with him after his debut. What was your impression of Real fans at that time?

- It's really great - even 10 years after leaving Madrid, I still have a lot of support from Real fans on social media. I think we have had three very good years together and the fans have seen that I give everything for this great club. But I didn't expect that they would still support me to this day. All I can say thank you all.

- What about the memory of playing under Mourinho?

- Everyone knows my special dressing room story with him. We had a great relationship. Mourinho always knows how to motivate me, how to make me a better player every day. Mourinho is a great coach, and I'm very proud that I was able to play for him.

- Cristiano Ronaldo has said many times that he is the best player for him. What do you think?

- It's a pleasure to play with Ronaldo. For me, it's the best player of all time. We have a good chemistry on the pitch, it's perfect. Passing to a player who almost never misses an opportunity is a gift.

- In the dressing room, you have a great friendship with Sergio Ramos. How are you two now?

- For me, Ramos is the strongest personality and the best defender I have ever played with. When I played for Real, Ramos was still quite young, but he had such a strong spirit that it was amazing. It is clear that sooner or later Ramos will lead Real to win more Champions League titles. Ramos was the real leader, and one of my best friends at the time. We share a lot of fun and spend a lot of time together off the field. Ramos helped a lot and was the key for me to adapt very quickly at Real. Even more than 10 years later we still keep in touch. We text each other from time to time, and of course I always follow Ramos' career.

- What memories do you have of El Clasico matches?

- I think when I was at Real, El Clasico was at its peak. We even met in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2011. It was between Mourinho and Guardiola, between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Today, El Clasico has lost a bit of its intensity and excitement. Beating Barca at the time was like having an orgasm, it was unbelievable. Real's 0-5 defeat to Barca in La Liga in 2011 was one of the worst nightmares of my career. I've actually played a lot of derbies and class in my career, but it's true that El Clasico is really the most special one.

- He and Real won La Liga and won the King's Cup, but never won the Champions League. Is this the regret of your career at Real? Which defeat is more painful, losing to Bayern or Dortmund in the semi-finals?

Winning the Champions League has always been one of my dreams. But that's life, you can't have it all. And I wouldn't trade that for the World Cup title. I can say the semi-final against Dortmund was painful, on the one hand because I'm from Schalke, and on the other hand the game was even. We lost control in the first leg, but were very strong in the second leg. In the end, the difference is a goal.

- And then he left Real. How did you feel the night the deal was closed?

- At the airport, I felt very sad when I left Madrid. I have had a lot of fun in these three years at this club, in this city. But I can't play much anymore, and after a dispute with President Florentino Perez, my father and agent have found a new place. I even cried while sitting on the plane that just left Madrid airport. Only then did I realize that it was over.

- If you could go back in time, would you change that decision?

- At that time, I felt I made the right decision because after the conflict between my father and Perez, I was worried that I would no longer be able to play regularly if I did not leave. So it's hard to say. But of course, I wish we could have handled the situation at the time in a different way. I also left Real a long time ago. I have no problem with anyone there anymore. I am sure that President Perez and I can talk completely normally if we meet again.

- Do you intend to return to the Bernabeu? Fans will definitely want to see him again.

- I attended the 2022 Champions League final in Paris to support Real, but unfortunately could not return to the Bernabeu in recent years because of my own schedule. I don't have any plans yet, but hopefully it will in the near future. That would be fun.

- And then he went to Arsenal. How do you rate your time there?

- The first years were very good for me. We play in the Champions League, have a great team with great personalities and a great manager, Arsene Wenger. But Wenger's departure from the club changed a lot of things for me. But I have no interest in adding fuel to the fire again. I am very relaxed now and I wish the Arsenal fans all the best because they have always supported me so much. I am very happy for Arsenal fans if the club wins the Premier League this season. They deserve it.

- What was your best moment at Arsenal?

- I think my best game for Arsenal was 2018, when the team beat Leicester 3-1.

- How is your relationship with Wenger? Do you remember Wenger standing on the touchline directing?

Wenger is a true gentleman. Always respectful. When Wenger left the club, something also disappeared. We have a great relationship and I feel honored that he is my manager at Arsenal.

- And while making history at Real then Arsenal, you became a world champion. How does it feel to be in and win the World Cup final?

- There have been many incredible victories in his career, but that victory was something different. During the Cup procession, it was difficult to contemplate what had just happened. The night in Rio was the best night of my football career. To this day, I still laugh and get goosebumps every time I think about that final. What a wonderful memory.

- And in the end, what happened between you and the German team?

- Again, I don't want to add fuel to the fire. In the end, the German Football Federation (DFB) and I have different opinions. That's why I retired from the national team after the 2018 World Cup. A few weeks ago, I had a very friendly meeting in Stuttgart with coach Joachim Low. I never had a personal problem with him, and we had a very successful time. I just need to stay away from everything around the team after the 2018 World Cup.

- If you could only pick one teammate on the field, who would you choose?

- The best player that I choose is Ronaldo. With the leader and player with the most personality, I choose Ramos. The best striker would be Karim Benzema.

- So who is the best coach?

- I would choose Mourinho as the best coach of the past centuries. His tactical understanding is exceptional, along with the way he speaks in the dressing room, always defending the team in front of the media. Mourinho is a world-class coach.

- What about the most beautiful stadium?

- Sorry but I have to choose all three, the Bernabeu, Emirates and Fenerbahce.

- Best opponent you've ever met?

- Messi! I think everyone knows why...

- What would you change to make football a better sport?

- I come from the street Gelsenkirchen, we always play on amateur football fields. So I'm going to play without offside, like we did when we were kids. That brings more fun and more goals.

- 254 games for Arsenal, 159 for Real, 108 for Werder Bremen, 39 for Schalke, 37 for Fenerbahce. Which club holds the most special place in your heart?

- I think I have to answer this question in a personal way. In Germany, I'm a Schalke fan, and in Turkey it's always Fenerbahce. Those are two of my favorite childhood clubs and it's an honor to play for both.