When everyone is busy criticising Mesut Ozil, Turkey’s super lig team Malatyaspor showed support for the German midfielder. They wore shirts in support of Ozil before their friendly on Saturday.

Malatyaspor showed support to Mesut Ozil during a friendly match.

Ozil, who retired from Germany due to racism and disrespect has been criticised by a lot of person in Germany. Bayern Munich president also said Ozil’s performance has been shit for years.

The shirts which Malatyaspor’s players wore featured a photo of Ozil’s face with the phrase “We are all you” printed above it. And “Say no to racism” below it.

The club revealed that the players wanted to show they support Mesut Ozil. He has been the centre of debate for over two months after he and Germany team-mate Ilkay Gundogan took a photo with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After the shock group stage exit in the FIFA World Cup 2018, Mesut Ozil decided not to represent Germany any more. He also released a lengthy statement where he stated he wouldn’t tolerate racism any more.

Among his team-mates, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller shared their views about the issue. Neuer said that “we accept his decision”. But said he wanted to play with teammates who were proud to represent their country.

While, Muller said “We finally should end that debate and concentrate on football. Because racism inside the national team never was an issue.”

However, the Turkish president has backed the playmaker’s decision, believing it to be “national and native”. The Arsenal attacker claims the way the German football association has treated him makes him no longer want to wear the German national team shirt.

Ozil represented Germany in three World Cups, winning one in 2014. He was also named national team player of the year five times.