Mesut Ozil’s roller coaster 2014 continues with the good news that he’s made the shortlist for inclusion in the 2014 FIFA/FIFPro World XI.
Over course of the last 12 months Arsenal’s record signing has seen a string of injuries affect his form, taken a battering from the press both in England and Germany, had numerous personal issues aired in public and of course, helped his country to a memorable World Cup triumph.
It’s his performances in Brazil that appear to have turned the heads of fellow professionals (approximately 45,000 ballots are shipped worldwide as players vote for their peers) with Ozil getting nominated in the midfield category alongside 14 others including compatriots Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Hopefully this will prove a pleasant pick-me-up for a player who is currently working towards a January return from injury.
Midfield shortlist
Xabi Alonso (Spain / FC Bayern München)
Angel Di Maria (Argentina / Manchester United FC)
Cesc Fabregas (Spain / Chelsea FC)
Eden Hazard (Belgium / Chelsea FC)
Xavi Hernandez (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Toni Kroos (Germany / Real Madrid CF)
Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid CF)
Mesut Oezil (Germany / Arsenal FC)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy / Juventus FC)
Paul Pogba (France / Juventus FC)
James Rodriguez (Colombia / Real Madrid CF)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany / FC Bayern München)
Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire / Manchester City FC)
Arturo Vidal (Chile / Juventus FC)
The nominees for the best attacker category haven’t yet been made, but we’re fully expecting Alexis Sanchez – nominated earlier this week for inclusion in UEFA’s team of the year – and Nicklas Bendtner to be included.
The world will end if TGSTEL does not make the shortlist
Nice (obviously), but also fucking bizarre.
It’s difficult to know whether FIFA’s most defining quality is being thoroughly corrupt or just thoroughly ‘on a different planet’.
Re. Sanchez.. Check this out… https://twitter.com/TSBible/status/537959214703185921
We have one of the world’s best at his prime age!
Erm… I’d argue we’re privileged to have TWO such players in our team. (Hint: this article’s title)
And if Koscielny comes back stronger than ever, make that THREE!
I refuse to look at twitter but thumbs up anyway!
Deserved.
Ozil waxes his armpits?!
All German men do, it’s the fashion; they also wear pop socks and wax a lot more besides!
yeah whats wrong with that? some cultures say that it is more hygenic to remove the body hairs where sweat can build , including your balls too.
I had to scroll back up to double check the armpit.
Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Mesut Özil plays in two teams: – Arsenal : won the FA cup in 2014, first trophy in 9 years – Germany’s national team : won the World Cup in 2014 after 24 (26?) years. Mesut is basically a creative midfielder, so : – he is the best creator of Arsenal in 2013-2014 (assists and key passes) – he is the best creator of Germany (key passes) during the World Cup. ’nuff said. It seems the pros watch the game and don’t read the s*** press. At least Platini asked Mesut’s shirt at the end of the finale and said… Read more »
i know real class, real quality. I still cant believe he plays for us and still cant understand if he has bad games the whole world turns against him.
Hope he comes back full of beans and gets us back to winning ways.
Sad not to see Ramsey there! But well done Özil, deserved… Too bad he is nicking a living though…
So many thumbs down… It was a joke… Should have put “…” *http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5eMqKO-7XA/Tjd0_9tcCKI/AAAAAAAADGM/W4uYEGMqRhI/s1600/Dr%2Bevil.jpg”
Congrats to the young man.
Best no 10 in the world when fit and in form.
He’s a fantastic player, simple as. Just because English people associate quality with apparent tenacity, does not mean that Ozil is struggling since he came here. First season he was good in patches, and this season he’s suffering the typical post-World Cup lethargy that has befallen Bergkamp, Vieira and Petit in 1998, Thierry Henry in 2006 and Fabregas in 2010, where they all didn’t have their best seasons after the World Cup.
ozil wasn’t having a bad year this year when he played in the number 10 role. remember aston villa and galatasaray. it’s when wenger pushed him to the wing where he struggled and that’s understandable. if wenger had kept on with the formation and style we played for the first half of last season we’d be in top 3 right now.
People vote for names these days. Same for Messi best player in world cup. Just do not think Ozil deserves to be part of world top XI team this year. Top 10 midfielders for being part of world cup winners, maybe. There is a reason why people wanted Wenger to drop him, here on this forum.