Mesut Ozil, a former Arsenal midfielder, has named AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho as the man who persuaded him to join Real Madrid over Barcelona many years ago.
Ozil stated that Mourinho’s attitude in showing him some of Real Madrid’s most beautiful locations convinced him to choose Los Blancos over Barcelona.
The former Germany international, who recently announced his retirement from football, joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2010.
“It was a decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona,” Ozil told Marca. And, in the end, it wasn’t about money.
“I’m not sure if this is widely known, but I visited Madrid and Barcelona around the same time, and the difference was Jose Mourinho.” Mou [Mourinho] treated me to a VIP tour of Real Madrid.
“He took me to see the stadium and all of their trophies.” That made me shiver.
“The trip to Barcelona was less enthusiastic, and what was even more disappointing was that Pep Guardiola did not bother to meet with me.”
“So Jose Mourinho was without a doubt the most important factor in my decision,” Ozil added. My decision was crystal clear after my visits: I wanted to be a Madridista.”
Ozil eventually left Real Madrid in 2013 to join Premier League giants Arsenal.
