Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has quit international football, citing the "racism and disrespect" he has faced in Germany over his Turkish roots.

The 29‑year‑old was criticised after being photographed with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a London event in May.

He says he received hate mail and threats and was being blamed for Germany's disappointing FIFA World Cup.

Ozil says he is a German when they win, but he is an immigrant when they lose.

German football chiefs have yet to respond to Ozil's claims.

However Chancellor Angela Merkel "respects" his decision as he has done much for the national side.

The third‑generation Turkish‑German was born in Gelsenkirchen and was a key member of his country's 2014 World Cup‑winning side.

He has 92 caps and has been voted the national team's player of the year five times since 2011 by fans.

However, the team failed to get beyond the group stages of the recent World Cup in Russia, despite being one of the favourites.

Ozil said his recent treatment made him "no longer want to wear the German national team shirt".

[Source: BBC Sports]

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