KUALA LUMPUR – Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has urged Malaysia to intensify investment in youth academies and grassroots football, stressing that long-term, structured development is essential if the country wants to produce players capable of competing on the global stage.
Speaking at the Malaysia–Turkiye Leadership Summit 2026 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) today, the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner said footballing success is built on consistent investment in young talent, supported by strong systems at both amateur and professional levels.
“What’s important in football is making good investments in academies and young people, and also making sure there is proper support for amateur and professional clubs,” he said.
“Because when you look at the countries that consistently produce top players, it is never by accident. It comes from structure, patience, and belief in the development process from a young age.”
Ozil, who also represented Germany from 2009 to 2018, added that Malaysia could significantly raise its footballing profile if it commits to long-term youth development strategies.
“I think if this is done properly as a country, step by step and over many years, then you will definitely see many Malaysian football players not just playing locally, but also making their mark on the world stage,” said the German-born midfielder, who is the son of Turkish immigrants.
“But it requires consistency. You cannot build this in one or two years — it has to be a long-term vision that everyone believes in and protects.”
Beyond development structures, Ozil also reflected on the mental demands of elite football, highlighting self-belief, discipline, and teamwork as crucial elements in dealing with pressure at the highest level.
“On the field, I never really felt pressure in the way people often describe it, because I always trusted myself and I always trusted my teammates,” he said.
“Even in the biggest matches or after difficult defeats, my mindset was always the same — to stay calm, to focus on the next opportunity, and to keep improving. At this level, you cannot allow setbacks to define you.”
He further elaborated on resilience in professional sport, saying that setbacks are an inevitable part of a footballer’s journey and should be embraced as learning experiences rather than feared.
“If everything is going well, it is easy for everyone to feel confident,” Ozil said.
“But the real test comes when things go wrong — when you lose matches, when you make mistakes, or when criticism comes. In those moments, you have to be honest with yourself, learn from what happened, and come back stronger. That is what separates good players from great players.”
The summit, which attracted more than 500 participants, was attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the President of the Council of Higher Education Türkiye, Professor Dr Erol Ozvar.
It also featured a special session with Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah and Policy Executive Chair Nurul Izzah Anwar.
The programme was a joint initiative between the Higher Education Ministry, Education Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Sycamore Foundation, aimed at strengthening leadership, education, and sporting collaboration between Malaysia and Turkiye. – April 27, 2026