Ozil, who left Real for Arsenal in 2013, contributed many assists to Ronaldo’s goal haul during the Germany international’s three-year stint in Spain. PHOTO/ SKY
LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 8- Mesut Ozil admits Cristiano Ronaldo knows how many assists came from him, but says the Real Madrid forward helped him become a better player.
Ronaldo signed a new contract at the Bernabeu on Monday, keeping him with Real Madrid until he is 36. The Portugal captain is Real’s all-time leading scorer with more than 370 goals and has won eight trophies during his seven years at the club.
Ozil, who left Real for Arsenal in 2013, contributed many assists to Ronaldo’s goal haul during the Germany international’s three-year stint in Spain, but the Gunners midfielder insists it is he who owes the forward for their time together.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, I never saw one guy like him,” Ozil told Arsenal’s YouTube channel.
“He is the first guy in the dressing room and the last guy to go home. He wants to fight even in a training game.”
“He made me better on the pitch. Of course, I give my assists, a lot, to him and he knows. But I really enjoyed playing with him because he does not need a lot of chances.
“So even if I give him two assists, he will score two. Amazing player. One of the greatest players in history.”
Ozil also said he could not help but apologise to Chelsea defender David Luiz following Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup.
Luiz, who rejoined Chelsea this summer, was a Paris Saint-Germain player when the semi-final defeat took place, and Ozil revealed his personal message to the defender following the final whistle.
“Of course, all the players on the pitch were a little bit surprised,” said Ozil. “But after 20 minutes, 4-0 you can’t realise what has happened.”If you lose a big game like that in your country and you see the fans crying, the players crying, you feel it with them. So I went to David Luiz and really apologised.
Ozil told Luiz: “You have a nice country with nice people, and with what we’ve learned here, we’ve had a really good time.”
-By Sky Sports-
