On Friday, Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil tied the knot with his fiance, former Miss Turkey Amine Gulse in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in the wedding party as his best man. Secular Turkish weddings require a witness each for the bride and groom.
Özil, 30, who has Turkish origin, sparked controversy last year when he was photographed with Erdogan. This led Özil to quit Germany last year after he was criticised for posing for a photograph with Erdogan before the World Cup.
After 92 appearances for Germany, including a key role in the 2014 World Cup victory, Özil suddenly quit the national squad last July, accusing German football officials of racism.
The Turkish leader along with his wife arrived in the early evening for Friday’s ceremony at a luxury hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus to see the Arsenal midfielder marry model, actress and former Miss Turkey Amine Gulse.
The video of the 30-year-old midfielder dancing with his new bride was published immediately after the wedding ceremony.
Amine Gülşe ve Mesut Özil çiftinden ilk dans… pic.twitter.com/GvL2uCeFy7
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To celebrate their marriage, the pair have pledged to pay for 1,000 disadvantaged children. Extending their wonderful gesture, instead of wedding gifts, the couple has asked guests for donations to their charity.
Özil wrote on social media, “As a professional footballer, I am in a fortunate and privileged position. Amine and I will bear the expenses for surgeries of 1,000 children in need.”
Özil is reportedly English Premier League club Arsenal’s highest-paid player but hasn’t had an easy season. He’s been dropped from the starting line-up and has missed numerous games through injury and illness.
