Muslim footballer Mesut Özil has stirred controversy in the past over his photographs with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. But, his selection for his wedding's best man is proof that the footballer is quite indifferent about people's sentiments.
The German footballer, who has Turkish roots, tied the knot with Amine Gülşe, former Miss Turkey, at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel situated along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.
Erdoğan (Yes, Turkey's president!) stood as Özil's wingman during his wedding on Friday, sparking quite the anger among many of the footballer's fans. Photos of the wedding showed Erdoğan and his wife standing next to the newlyweds as the legal witnesses to the ceremony.
Helge Braun, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff, said it "makes one sad" that the footballer would take such a decision, especially considering the backlash that followed his posing choices last year.
According to CNN, Erdoğan was a semi-professional footballer before he became involved in politics. It is quite common to see him taking photos with prominent players of Turkish descent. But, being a legal witness at a wedding is something else, something less commonplace.
"Comedic moment"
The footballer posed with Erdoğan last May, right ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At the time, Özil received heavy criticism, hate mail, and threats over the photo. Merkel was among those who addressed the photo with a sprinkle of criticism.
Reinhard Grindel, chief of the German Football Association (DFB), was another. Grindel said it was "not a good thing" for the players to pose with Erdoğan.
"The DFB, of course, respects the special situation for our players with migrant backgrounds, but football and the DFB stands for values that Mr. Erdoğan does not sufficiently respect," Grindel said at the time.
In a statement following the backlash, the footballer made it clear that the photos came with no political incentive.
"For me, having a picture with President Erdoğan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country," Özil wrote.
"My job is a football player and not a politician, and our meeting was not an endorsement of any policies."
"Weak"
"I will have a hard time looking at Mesut Özil the same way"
Özil doesn't seem to be fazed by any form of criticism - but when it comes to discriminatory practices, the footballer does not turn a blind eye.
In July 2018, he announced his resignation from international football after accusing German football officials of racism. The German Arsenal F.C. midfielder said the discriminatory treatment made him realize he "no longer want[s] to wear the German national team shirt."
"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," he said at the time.