Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is BARRED from return to his former club 'over links to far-right Turkish group' who once tried to assassinate the Pope - and whose emblem he has tattooed on him

Mesut Ozil is one of the finest players of his generation and was adored almost universally in his prime, but has found himself banned from his former club reportedly due to his political affiliations.

Ozil retired from football two years ago, last on the books at Basaksehir in Turkey, having starred for Fenerbahce, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Werder Bremen in a storied career at the top.

Among the honours the German international has in a burst trophy cabinet are a World Cup, LaLiga title, German Cup, four FA Cups, two Community Shields, a Spanish Super Cup, Copa Del Rey, as well as being named 2014-15 German footballer of the year.

However since his retirement, Ozil has found himself in the headlines on numerous occasions, and not just for his fitness videos showing off his new hulking frame.

Earlier this year the former midfielder was named on the Central Decision and Management Board for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the party announced.

Ozil's parents are both Turkish, and though he represented Germany in international football, has a strong connection with his heritage.

Mesut Ozil shared a picture showing off a controversial tattoo in his left pectoral muscle

The Grey Wolf symbol (centre) represents a group linked with ultra-nationalism and racism

He has now been elected to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right)

Yet last summer he showed off a tattoo featuring a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons, symbols widely associated with far-right extremism, ultra-nationalism and anti-Semitism. The group are banned in a number of countries.

As such, due to his alleged political affiliations, Ozil was left off the guest list for a Werder Bremen tribute for former player Diego Ribas, according to Bild.

'We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the club's values,' a spokesperson said.

The Grey Wolves, since their inception, had been linked to numerous violent acts, including an attempted assassination on Pope John Paul II back in 1981, and some of their members have even been accused of murder.

Among the nations that have banned the Grey Wolves' activity are France and Austria, the former doing so after a monument to the Armenian genocide near Lyon was defaced with pro-Turkish slogans in 2020.

Asked by the Telegraph earlier this year if the tattoo on his chest was a reference to the Grey Wolves, Ozil's representatives did not respond, the outlet has claimed.

Ozil is not the only player who has a reported affiliation with the controversial group.

Turkish defender Merih Demiral celebrated his goal at the 2024 European Championship by making the symbol of a wolf with both hands, he was handed a two-match ban.

The former Arsenal star won four FA Cups and two Community Shields while with the Gunners

Ozil is a long-term Erdogan supporter, having chosen him as his best man in 2019 for his wedding to a former Miss Turkey, Amine Gulse (left)

Merih Demiral received a two-match ban from UEFA after making a wolf sign when celebrating a goal

After the game, the player said he has 'a very strong feeling' for his country and is 'tremendously proud to be Turkish'.

Ozil's own affiliations with Turkey have been well-documented even before the end of his playing days, notably retiring from international football in 2018 after a picture of him and Ilkay Gunodgan - also German but of Turkish descent - posing with President Erdogan was criticised.

The former Arsenal playmaker noted that he had faced racism as a result of his heritage while representing Germany, saying: 'I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.'

President Erdogan even acted as Ozil's best man when he married Swedish model Amine Gulse back in 2019.

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