Mesut Ozil's agent: He is Muhammad Ali of football

spoke out against China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in 2020 and his agent, Dr. Erkut Sogut has compared him to legendary boxer Ali for  his proactive political stance.

"He is a hero because he's outspoken because he says things that others don't say. It was like: ‘Thank you Mesut for having a voice for people in need. You are the Muhammad Ali of football',"

Sogut said, referencing his client's recent trip to Indonesia.

"I would say it [players being outspoken] was new for everyone, for [Arsenal] as well. They were a club that was always neutral in terms of political things but they are not neutral anymore, right? They gave it up.

"Now they’re outspoken about issues in the world which when it was Mesut they said: 'We don't want to discuss things like that’. But it was a development I think for them as well as a club that things are changing and they have to adapt as well. They can't just stay neutral in certain situations. Now they have spoken up with Ukraine. They are now taking a position as a club."

Ozil signed for

in 2013 for a then club record fee of £42.5m. The 33-year-old playmaker joined

on a free transfer. Ozil during his time in England was accused of being unfocused on club commitments.

Dr. Erkut Sogut said:

“It’s football and sometimes it just doesn’t work.

"Look, for example: Antonio Rudiger, amazing football player. [Frank] Lampard comes and doesn’t play him. But he’s world-class, German national team, but the [Chelsea] coach is not playing him and then he was thinking about leaving. 

"Suddenly the coach is going, he plays again and now he is at Real Madrid. So it’s sometimes from the coach’s perspective, sometimes the player. It’s so many factors coming together and that’s also with Mesut. He is discussed so much because he does so much off the pitch, talking about issues other players wouldn’t talk about."

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