Mesut Ozil issued warning by unhappy Fenerbahce president

Former Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has been told to "think about contributing to Fenerbahce" in a stern message from the club's president.

The 33-year-old joined the Turkish giants in January 2021 to bring an eight-year spell at Arsenal to end, but things haven't really worked out as planned.

Instead of becoming a marquee star for Fenerbahce, Ozil, who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract upon his arrival from the Emirates Stadium, has instead played a bit-part role for the club, and has shown petulance in recent weeks during a couple of on-field incidents.

But if it was sympathy or understanding that Ozil - who has started just 33% of Fenerbahce's Super Lig games this season and failed to score in 11 outings during 2020/21 - was after from the club's president, he's had a rather nasty surprise.

Indeed, speaking to Fenerbahce TV, Ali Koc suggested that Ozil focus on actually doing something on the field rather than worrying about commercial projects he's involved in away from football, suggesting he's not been in the team because, well, he's not been good enough.

"Since the start of this season, Mesut Ozil has been compared to Robin van Persie (in terms of his status at Fenerbahce)," Koc said. "Ozil wants to play more. From now on, he needs to focus on his game and keep his commercial interests out of it. He needs to think about contributing to Fenerbahce.

"Our coach also needs to try to figure out how to get the most out of Ozil. There is not a problem, despite what the media says. Mesut is unhappy because he does not play regularly."

Ozil initially struggled with fitness issues but his absence from Fenerbahce's starting XI in recent weeks has been purely down to head coach Vitor Pereira opting not to pick him.

Though it's not known whether or not the pair have a fractious relationship, Ozil did little to endear himself to his manager at the beginning of October when he seemingly launched his training bib in his direction after failing to come on as a substitute against Kasimpasa.

Ozil then kicked over water bottles and threw his shirt to the floor in disgust after Pereira opted to hook him in Fenerbahce's 2-2 draw with Antwerp in the Europa League.