Ozil: I want to become Germany legend at World Cup

The Arsenal star says he is motivated by the desire to emulate past greats such as Fritz Walter, Wolfgang Overath and Lothar Matthaus by winning the tournament

Mesut Ozil insists he wants to become a legend this summer by winning the World Cup with Germany.

Ozil heads into the tournament on the back of a season which saw him notch five goals and nine assists in 26 Premier League games for Arsenal, as well as winning the FA Cup to end the club’s nine-year trophy drought.

But the 25-year-old has yet to taste success at senior international level, with Germany’s last major triumph coming some 18 years ago at Euro 96 in England.

It is a long barren spell for a country which boasts three World Cup wins, and Ozil says he is driven by the desire to match the achievements of past greats such as Fritz Walter, Wolfgang Overath and Lothar Matthaus.

“Those three are legends in German football,” he told Sport Bild. “They won so many titles and they represent an era. I admire what they achieved and I know they were the type of player I am.

“I see myself as a traditional playmaker. There won’t be many of them at the World Cup. If I look at the other teams I might even be the last one.

“I would like to follow their example and become a legend, too. And whoever wants to be a legend has to win the cup. We travel to Brazil to make that dream come true.

“To be honest, and I am saying this now just for me personally: Everything other than the trophy would be a disappointment. If we look back to the Euros it has been two years since we lost an official match.

“Germany deserves to finally win the trophy.”

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