Arsenal and Germany star Mesut Ozil pays for 23 Brazilian kids operations
Mesut Ozil - Dieter Perry - Credit: Archant
Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil celebrated last weekend’s World Cup victory by paying for 23 sick Brazilian children to have surgery.
The German, who helped his country clinch a fourth World Cup trophy in Rio on Sunday, paid for 11 procedures before the tournament – but has now pitched in with 12 more to replicate the size of the Germany squad.
The £42million midfielder said the gesture was a thankyou to the people of Brazil.
“It is not only due to 11 players but to our whole team, I will now raise the number to 23,” Ozil posted on facebook.
“This is my personal thankyou for the hospitality of the people of Brazil.”
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Ozil’s offering is part of the BigShoe project, which helps children all over the world.
It started at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when money was collected for a child that required surgery.
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Speaking on a Big Shoe project video in May, Ozil said: “A lot of children are shut out of our society, but we can help in improving their future living conditions.
“I love children, they are important to me and I want them to thrive, live their own life and have a good chance in the future.”
