Mesut Ozil's statement announcing his retirement from international duty has now well and truly done the rounds on social media, but one part of it has been largely overlooked by the media.

The long statement from the 2014 World Cup winner focussed on a lot of pertinent issues and problems with immigrant footballer's treatment in the modern game - particularly in light of a diverse Les Bleus' team recent World Cup victory.

Ozil quit Germany over 'racism and disrespect' from Germany over his Turkish roots, which were particularly exacerbated after he took a picture with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/1020984884431638528

"I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose," Ozil said in the statement, "It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level while I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't. I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten."

Depsite being held responsible for Germany's failure at this World Cup, Ozil opened up about his less-talked-about contributions - working with BigShoe to help 23 children receive life-changing surgeries while out in Russia.

https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/1021017944745226242

For further reading around this topic, read about why France's World Cup win must lead to immigrant's being valued off the pitch too.