The cover’s not bad either… we get a glimpse of abs, and I see more definition! Mesut really likes black shoes with white soles, no?
Q: How are you doing in Spain?
A: I’m very happy. I’ve adapted quickly, and I’ve had the support of my family that was here with me during the first few weeks. The team and Mourinho helped me with the acclimation.
Q: What was it like going into the locker room for the first time? Were you received with arrogance by any of the superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo? [¡Vaya pregunta!]
A: None of that. Everyone greeted me with affection, everyone was very nice. And they continue to be nice.
Q: It’s always been said that joining a group of stars like this one is like jumping into a pool full of sharks…
A: It’s the opposite. It’s very family-oriented. We take the training sessions seriously, but we have a great time together off the field.
Q: For example?
A: I laughed when someone from the team used a computer to give each player a crazy hairstyle and then put the photos up on each locker.
But… why did they need a computer for that for Özil?
Q: You’re 21 years old and you’ve signed for six years with a contract that guarantees that you won’t have to ever worry about money again. Does it frighten you that you’ve already accomplished all your dreams?
A: I’m in the grandest club in the world, at the orders of the best coach in the world… but so far I haven’t won a title with Real Madrid. There’s still a long and difficult road ahead of me until I achieve all my dreams.
Q: What is your long-term objective?
A: To be one of the best players in the world. That’s why I took the step of coming to Madrid, because I wanted to continue growing here, with Mourinho. I’m very happy with my new coach, and not only because he’s won a lot of titles with various teams.
Q: What made you decide to sign with Madrid?
A: The most important factor was a conversation with Mourinho. He told me that he wanted me on his team at any cost. It lasted half an hour, or maybe 45 minutes, on the phone. He convinced me and that’s why I’m here. He told me he was counting on me.
Q: What did he tell you exactly?
A: I don’t want to enter into details. The important thing is that he convinced me. In addition, in the last few years he’s shown that many players grow with him.
Q: You consider yourself timid and introverted, but it doesn’t appear that way when you step on the field. Do you become another person when you play football?
A: I think so. I remember when I was a kid: whenever I saw a ball, I only thought about kicking it, in having fun, in triumphing. It’s the same now.
Q: The sporting press has praised you very enthusiastically. How does this affect you?
A: I feel proud, but I was educated to always keep my feet on the ground in whatever situation in my life.
Q: Who is your biggest critic outside the club?
A: My father Mustafa, who is my principal critic and adviser. He’s always been sincere with me. When I didn’t play well, he would tell me that I had to change this thing or that thing. He continues to do that and I value him a lot.
Q: Your jersey number, 23, had not brought a lot of luck to the last few players who wore it, such as Wesley Sneijder or Rafa van der Vaart. Are you superstitious?
A: I’m not worried about the number. The “23” was free and so I got it, that’s all.
Q: In your first days in Madrid, the press talked about some statements Mourinho made about you and Sami Khedira and how you didn’t speak Spanish or English well. How did you fix that?
A: I’m taking Spanish classes, and it’s going well. A lot of the players speak English and translate for me. Of course, for me it’s an advantage that Sami Khedira also signed for Madrid, because he’s a teammate that I can talk to and he helps me a lot.
Q: Where are you learning Spanish?
A: A professor comes to my house two or three times a week. She gives me work and I do it. I’m very diligent. I want to speak the language as soon as possible.
Q: What do your new teammates call you? In Bremen, they nicknamed you Messi…
A: That’s what they called me in Bremen and on the national team. Here, in Madrid, they call me Ozi, without the umlaut on top of the “O.”
Q: You’re known for leading a normal life, without luxuries or eccentricities. Now you’re part of the “galactic” club… how do you resist all the temptations?
A: I’m not interested in them. What I want is to continue growing as a footballer, to triumph on the field. The world of VIPs doesn’t interest me. I prefer to stay at home, with my family and my friends.
Q: Do you swear that’s the truth?
A: When I want to have a good time, I have a good time, and I can do that perfectly with my friends and family.
Q: You’ve said your biggest idol is Zidane… is it because he also had no interest in pursuing fame?
A: Zidane has always fascinated me. His way of playing, his ambidexterity, his unpredictability, the danger he was in front of the goal… for me, he was the perfect player.
Q: In your country, you’ve been described as the new “German hero,” an example of integration, the model German with Turkish roots. Does that bother you?
A: In no way. I took on the German nationality because that’s what I wanted. I decided to play for the German national team because as a kid I already wanted to play for Germany, because I belong to a third generation in Germany, because I feel good there, because I have a lot of friends there. That’s the message I want to transmit to young people, and if I can, to be an example to follow.
Q: It’s been said that you received a lot of pressure to choose the Turkish national team…
A: It didn’t influence me; it was my own decision. My friends knew it and supported me. For me, there was no other country to consider.
Q: Do you see yourself as the captain of the German national team?
A: What I want above everything else is to play well, in Madrid and on my national team. I give it my all so that the coach will continue to count on me for the next game.
Q: You met Angela Merkel during the World Cup, when she visited the locker room after the 4-0 against Argentina. How was that meeting?
A: Very positive. The chancellor was very nice, very educated, very natural.
Q: What do you think of her?
A: I admire her a lot. I value what she’s achieved, what she’s done for Germany. I value it a lot. In South Africa, she was very friendly, very nice with all of us.
Q: Did you vote in the most recent elections?
A: Yes, but I won’t talk more about that.
Q: In your country, there’s always some talk about how Germany has messed up in the politics of integration over the last few decades. Does that bother you?
A: Of course. I want with all my heart a day when everyone in Germany feels like a one big family. We all live together, a lot of Turks also have German passports, and want to integrate. That’s why I regret that this discussion is held over and over again.
Q: How can the situation be changed?
A: The fundamental thing is to get to know each other better, Germans and Turks. It’s important that people exchange ideas, points of view and opinions. In that way, integration will function better.
Q: Let’s return to your roots. You learned to play football on a field enclosed by a wire fence which everyone in Gelsenkirchen called “the monkey cage.” Were you the king there?
A: My older brother Mutlu was very good; he was also very talented.
Q: But your brother plays in a regional league today. Is there any envy between the brothers?
A: No. Mutlu has always supported me, he’s very proud of me.
Q: Do you keep in touch with your old friends from Gelsenkirchen?
A: Of course. I was just on vacation with them and one of these days they’ll come to visit me in Madrid.
Q: A while ago, you were seen taking economy class on your vacations…
A: Yes, I go to Mallorca on Air Berlin. And in Germany, on domestic flights, I don’t mind sitting all the way in the back.
Q: What is the biggest luxury you’ve allowed yourself lately?
A: The most expensive was setting up my house in Madrid.
Q: Where do you save money?
A: I save a lot, but I also want to enjoy life. I pay attention to prices. For example, I like to shop in Zara, but I also buy clothing from Dolce&Gabbana, Dsquared and True Religion.
Q: Does fashion interest you?
A: I have my own style, I buy my own clothes. I love shoes. In my house, I have a special room for them.
Q: You also love the cinema.
A: Yes, I like movies, especially action movies and mafia movies.
Q: What types of books do you read?
A: Adventure novels.
Q: In your free time, you like to play ping-pong… could you have done that professionally?
A: I think so. I’ve always been good at it.
Q: To end, have your teammates teased you about Spain beating Germany in the World Cup and the Eurocopa?
A: Of course, Iker has already taunted me. He told me, smiling, “Better luck next time.”