Mesut Ozil names his Champions League dream team

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Mesut Ozil names his Champions League dream team, with ex-Arsenal star opting for a 37-year-old centre-back, one Englishman and a surprising Sevilla selection in midfield

  • The new Champions League season gets underway on Tuesday evening 
  • Mesut Ozil took to social media to name his ultimate XI for this year’s tournament
  • Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Mesut Ozil has named his dream team for the new Champions League season and there are a few surprises.

Europe’s premier competition gets back underway on Tuesday night with the first round of group matches.

And former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Ozil has taken to Twitter to name what he describes as his ‘best XI’.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland unsurprisingly lead the line with Manchester City’s Rodri at the base of midfield.

Ozil opts for an Arsenal man in the form of Bukayo Saka on the right wing and a German on the left in Leroy Sane. 

35-year-old Sevilla veteran Ivan Rakitic is an unexpected inclusion alongside Rodri with Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga completing the midfield.

The back line is made up of former Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos as well as current Los Blancos defender Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Dias.

Manuel Neuer, who won the World Cup with Ozil, is between the sticks.

It’s no surprise to see reigning champions Man City with the most players featuring in the XI (3).

Ozil retired from football at the age of 34 earlier this year with back problems playing a big role in his decision.

Ozil retired from professional football earlier this year after struggling with injuries 

Revealing the news in March, he wrote: ‘Hello everyone, After thoughtful consideration, l’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.

‘I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.

‘But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.’ 

Ozil had little success in the Champions League as a player, failing to reach a final.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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