Naveed
Before every match, Mesut Özil follows the same private ritual: a brief prayer, away from teammates, that he has said is non-negotiable. “I always pray before I go out on the pitch,” he has said in past interviews, and asked that teammates not interrupt him during it.
A Turkish-German Muslim Upbringing
Özil was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to a family of Turkish descent, and was raised Muslim from childhood. His parents and extended family are also practicing Muslims, a background he has referenced repeatedly when discussing his identity as a German footballer of Turkish heritage.
Ramadan on the Pitch
Özil has spoken about observing Ramadan fasting during his playing career, while acknowledging the physical toll of fasting alongside elite competition sometimes required flexibility around eating and drinking, according to reporting collected by About Islam.
A 2016 Pilgrimage to Mecca
In 2016, Özil performed Umrah, the non-mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca, a trip widely covered by football and Islamic media as a marker of his devotion during the height of his club career.
| Full name | Mesut Özil |
| Religion | Islam (Sunni Muslim) |
| Heritage | Turkish-German |
| Notable act of faith | 2016 Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca |
FAQ
Does Mesut Özil still practice Islam?
Yes. He has consistently described himself as a proud, practicing Muslim throughout his career, including in statements made well after retiring from international football.
Has Mesut Özil performed the Hajj?
Public reporting confirms he performed Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, in 2016; there is no confirmed public record of him completing the full Hajj.
