Angela Merkel 'respects' Mesut Ozil's decision to retire from international football

The Arsenal star announced his retirement via Twitter on Sunday night – nearly a month on from Germany’s shock World Cup exit

Germany chancellor Angela Merkel respects Mesut Ozil’s decision to retire from international football, a spokeswomen for the German government has said.

The Arsenal star announced his retirement via Twitter on Sunday night – nearly a month on from Germany’s shock World Cup exit.

Explaining his decision to retire, the midfielder attacked the German football federation (DFB), its president, fans and media for what he saw as racism and double standards in treating people with Turkish roots.

Following the announcement, Merkel's spokeswoman stressed that people with migrant backgrounds were welcome in Germany and added that the German chancellor valued Ozil.

“The chancellor values Mesut Ozil highly. He is a footballer who has contributed a great deal to the national team,” said Ulrike Demmer, adding that he has “now made a decision that must be respected.”

Ozil's angry departure from Germany's national team is drawing mixed reactions at home, with concerns raised over criticism of the player and its implications for society.

Merkel's spokeswoman added that the majority of the roughly three million people with Turkish roots who live in Germany are well integrated.

Justice minister Katarina Barley tweeted: "It is an alarm signal when a great German footballer such as @MesutOzil1088 feels unwanted in his country because of racism and not represented by the DFB."

However, foreign minister Heiko Maas cautioned against reading too much into the case.

"I don't think that the case of a multi-millionaire living and working in Britain says much about integration in Germany," he told reporters in Berlin.

"And in any case, the truth is on the pitch. The fact that the Germans were knocked out of the World Cup has little to do Mr. Ozil having his picture taken with Erdogan," he added. "I think everyone involved in this case should reflect. I see few people who in my perception have behaved more or less right in this case."

Additional reporting by Reuters