Mesut Özil is buying and selling pitchside magic for grassroots ambition.
The former World Cup-winning midfielder unveiled an audacious new chapter on Tuesday: the launch of a state-of-the-art soccer academy in Ümraniye, Istanbul – a transfer he hopes will revitalize Turkish youth improvement and pave the best way for future world stars.
Speaking at a press convention following a brand new back-of-shirt sponsorship deal between Turkish second-tier membership Ümraniyespor and DBE Holding, Özil mentioned he plans to open the academy by early 2027.
It will serve gamers aged 11 to 19 – a important stage for nurturing elite expertise – and function in tandem with Ümraniyespor’s present youth setup.
“Istanbul has 16 million young people and a deep love for football,” Özil mentioned. “But the infrastructure isn’t enough. I want to bring a system that works – because I lived it myself.”
Özil, 36, was instrumental in brokering the sponsorship settlement, which can bolster Ümraniyespor’s infrastructure and lay the monetary groundwork for the academy.
Backed by DBE Holding – a Turkish conglomerate lively in building, power, and sports activities – the academy will comply with a European mannequin rooted in Özil’s personal improvement at Schalke 04.
Pipeline to the world stage
The academy’s mission is obvious: to create world-class professionals able to thriving in prime European leagues – and to lastly fill the Turkish expertise hole overseas.
While gamers like Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu have made their mark, they continue to be exceptions in a rustic bursting with untapped youth potential.
Özil plans to put in a complete system with top-tier teaching, tactical schooling, psychological help, and off-field improvement – echoing greatest practices from his time at Real Madrid and Arsenal.
“We’ll prepare them not just for Turkish football, but for the global stage,” he mentioned. “This is about more than skills. It’s about shaping complete athletes and people.”
From Gelsenkirchen to Ümraniye
Born in Germany to Turkish mother and father, Özil’s meteoric rise started in Schalke’s youth system earlier than he dazzled at Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and later Fenerbahçe.
He ended his profession at İstanbul Başakşehir in 2023 after 92 caps for Germany and a World Cup title in 2014.
Now, he desires to deliver that have full circle.
Strategic alliance
The partnership with Ümraniyespor isn’t any coincidence.
Founded in 1938, the membership has a powerful group base and expertise toggling between Türkiye’s prime two divisions. With Özil’s backing and DBE’s assets, it’s poised to develop into a breeding floor for future professionals.
The academy will function as a hybrid mannequin, funneling gamers into Ümraniyespor and facilitating abroad alternatives by means of Özil’s European community. Initial building is predicted to start in 2026, following permits and land acquisition.
Rising Stakes in Turkish Football
Özil’s announcement comes at a time of renewed ambition in Turkish soccer. With prime golf equipment bringing in names like Victor Osimhen and Marco Asensio, the Süper Lig is attracting world consideration, however stays quick on homegrown stars.
“It’s great to see big players coming to Türkiye,” Özil mentioned. “But we need to build from the ground up if we want to compete in the long term.”
The Turkish nationwide staff’s current run to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals signaled promise. Özil’s challenge could possibly be the lacking hyperlink – a sustainable expertise pipeline to match Türkiye’s rising footballing profile.
Big desires, huge challenges
The highway forward isn’t with out hurdles.
Building a totally practical academy in 18 months is bold. Competition from established youth applications like Galatasaray and Altınordu will probably be stiff. And importing a European-style system into Turkish soccer tradition would require buy-in from gamers, coaches, and households alike.
Still, Özil is undeterred.
“With a good team, strong values, and belief in our mission, we can change the game.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com