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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Playmaker retired in 2023</li><li>Has been hitting the gym hard</li><li>Likened to Portuguese superstar</li></ul>

'A little Cristiano Ronaldo!' - Mesut Ozil's former team-mate stunned by ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid ace's incredible body transformation

<p>World Cup winner Ozil, who retired in 2023, was often accused of being lightweight and lacking the stomach for a fight during his distinguished playing career. He graced the books of Real Madrid and Arsenal, while claiming a global crown in 2014, but was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mesut-ozil-rise-fall-arsenal-assist-king/bltac8988679c123934" target="_blank">famed for his relaxed approach to playmaking</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 35-year-old has now bulked up considerably, with more time being spent in the gym pumping iron than he ever did when turning out at Santiago Bernabeu and Emirates Stadium. Ex-Blancos colleague <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mesut-ozil-stuns-fans-crazy-body-transformation-cristiano-ronaldo-impressed-arsenal-sead-kolasinac/blt95bad5f192c58c0d" target="_blank">Ronaldo is among those to have been left suitably impressed by Ozil’s body reshaping</a>, commenting “bro not bad” on one social media post.</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4-2hh9o5Lh/?hl=en" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Gomez has now had his say on the new hulking version of Ozil, telling the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7nMcdZSQ23CmDcGVmGlmSW" target="_blank">Phrasenmaher podcast</a>: “First of all, it's admirable how he pulls it off. However, I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good. I don't know what his mission is behind this. </p><p>"It looks a bit crass and wouldn't be my thing - but that's not the point. When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you. Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym. He also played with Ronaldo and maybe thinks: 'Now I have time to become a little Cristiano'.”</p>

WHAT GOMEZ SAID

<p>Ronaldo, who is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-message-rivals-portugal-al-nassr-superstar-1000/bltf77588a501ef4789" target="_blank">still going strong at 39 years of age while on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>, is famed for his relentless work ethic and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ronaldo-six-pack-competition-new-training-partner-cristiano-jr-al-nassr-superstar-gym/blt7d2d5f0c982e99fd" target="_blank">ability to keep himself in the best possible shape</a>. Ozil now boasts the physical frame to compete with CR7 – who he spent three years working alongside in Madrid between 2010 and 2013.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'A little Cristiano Ronaldo!' - Mesut Ozil's former team-mate stunned by ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid ace's incredible body transformation | Goal.com South Africa

Mesut Ozil’s remarkable transformation since hanging up his boots has led to former Germany team-mate Mario Gomez to brand him “a little Cristiano”.

&apos;A little Cristiano Ronaldo!&apos; - Mesut Ozil&apos;s former team-mate stunned by ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid ace&apos;s incredible body transformation