Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has stunned fans – and Cristiano Ronaldo – with his recent body transformation following his retirement from football.
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Ozil bulks up in gym after retirementRonaldo impressed with training regimeFans stunned by Ozil's physical transformationWHAT HAPPENED?
Ozil has underdone a dramatic transformation since hitting the gym after announcing his retirement from football at the age of 34 back in 2023. The former Arsenal and Real Madrid star has shown off his new bulked-up body on Instagram which has amazed fans.
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Instagram user @bhaumikbhor_ was clearly stunned, writing on the social media platform: "Who hurt my bro?"
Another supporter, @hn25255, remembered how Ozil had been defended by team-mate Sead Kolasinac during a car-jacking attempt: "Bro don’t need Kolasinac anymore."
Elsewhere, X user WestTomie wondered what Ozil might have been like if he'd bulked up in his playing days: "Imagine he was like this while he was playing. MASSIVE."
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was also impressing, replying: "Looking strong bro."
And German and Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger described Ozil as a "beast".
WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS SAID
Cristiano Ronaldo is also no stranger to the gym and has previously shown his admiration for his former Real Madrid team-mate's hard work. The Portuguese superstar wrote "Bro, not bad" on an earlier video of Ozil being put through his paces in the gym on his way to his stunning transformation.
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ozil was certainly not known for his physique during his playing days. The former Germany international was a superb playmaker who was often accused of being lazy due to a perceived disinterested body language. Ozil still enjoyed a successful career, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid, the FA Cup four times with Arsenal and lifting the World Cup with Germany in 2014.