Mesut Özil is a former German attacking midfielder celebrated for his vision, technique and creativity, and his name appears often in collector circles for signed shirts and authenticated memorabilia. Born on 15 October 1988 in Gelsenkirchen, he rose rapidly through youth ranks to become a defining playmaker of his generation. Walkouts listings frequently highlight his on-pitch provenance, linking match performance, trophies and authenticated autographs for collectors seeking verified items.
Özil's early senior career began at Schalke 04, where he made his first professional appearances before moving to Werder Bremen in January 2008. At Bremen he broke out as a creator, scoring decisive goals and finishing the 2008-09 season by winning the DFB-Pokal in 2009, a milestone that often features in the provenance of early-career memorabilia.
His performances earned a transfer to Real Madrid in 2010, where he quickly established himself as a leading assist provider. Özil was part of the side that secured the La Liga title in 2011-12 and finished multiple seasons at the top of the assists charts in Spain, a fact that collectors and historians reference when authenticating match-worn shirts and signed artefacts from that period.
In September 2013 Özil joined Arsenal in a high-profile move, becoming a central figure for the Gunners. He helped end a trophy drought by contributing to FA Cup victories in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and later the squad also lifted the FA Cup in 2020. His creative peak in England included a Premier League season in which he recorded 19 assists in 2015-16, a mark noted in the provenance of Premier League-era collectibles and autographs.
Özil later returned to Turkey, signing for Fenerbahçe in January 2021 and then joining İstanbul Başakşehir in July 2022. He announced his retirement from professional football on 22 March 2023, concluding a club career of top-flight appearances that collectors reference when dating and verifying merchandise.
Internationally, Özil made his senior debut for Germany in 2009 and was a pivotal member of the squad that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was also the leading assist provider at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and at UEFA Euro 2012, and he holds a record number of Germany Player of the Year awards, a detail often cited in the certificates that accompany high-value autographs and match-worn shirts.
For collectors, Özil's legacy combines sporting excellence with clear provenance: match-winning moments, trophy records and international honours give context to signed shirts, authenticated autographs and other memorabilia. When evaluating pieces, provenance tied to specific clubs and competitions such as Real Madrid, Arsenal and the 2014 World Cup elevates historical interest and clarity of origin.
Mesut Özil's standing as a technical, creative midfielder ensures his memorabilia remains sought after by fans and collectors alike. His career milestones and authenticated items continue to appear in curated collections, and his legacy is preserved both in football history and in specialist catalogues of signed shirts and collectibles. For those building or refining collections, items associated with his key moments offer clear provenance and lasting appeal, a narrative Walkouts recognises when presenting authenticated merchandise.
