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#2 Mesut Ozil
Mezut Ozil is still one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The German footballer was roped in by the Los Blancos in 2010 for €15 million after his stunning display for the national team during the FIFA World Cup that year. Prior to joining Madrid, he played for FC Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen.
The 30-year-old made an immediate impact for the club and had multiple important outings for them. After lifting the Copa del Rey in his first season, Ozil helped Real claim their 32nd league title and had 17 assists to his name during the 2011-12 season. Ozil is known to be an extremely versatile player as he can even play as a winger and also has phenomenal creativity, vision for finding the right passes at the right moment.
The Gelsenkirchen-born player left the Los Blancos after three seasons to join Premier League club Arsenal, where he still plays. His transfer was for €50 million, a club record at the time. Many Real Madrid players, including CR7, were not happy with him moving out of the club as he had become a key part of the team and understood their game.
Just like when he arrived at Madrid, Ozil's contribution for the Gunners was vital immediately. They ended a 9-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup in 2014. The 2014-15 season was a revelation for him as he had 19 assists by the end of it, being named in multiple teams of the season in top-flight football. His record of 19 assists is only the 2nd highest ever in the Premier League, 2nd to Thierry Henry of Arsenal who had 20 to his name during the 2002-03 season.
Ozil was a vital component for the German national team (from which he retired in 2018) and considered the best playmakers of all time. He played a crucial role when Germany lifted the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is currently one of the vice-captains of Arsenal and has scored 3 goals in 10 appearances in the ongoing 2018-19 Premier League season.
