Real Madrid legend in subtle dig at departing midfield star.
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Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has had a subtle dig at departing midfield star Mesut Ozil, hinting that he lacked the strength to fight for his place at the club, according to Goal.com.
Ozil, who joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day for a club-record fee of £42.4m, has often been compared with Zidane in his style of play and importance to Real Madrid, and his surprise departure saw many of his former team-mates express their surprise that the Spanish giants allowed him to leave.
Zidane, however, has suggested that the German international could have followed the example of team-mate Angel Di Maria in rejecting a move and staying to fight for his place.
Both players were linked with Arsenal in the final days of the summer transfer window due to their places in the side coming under threat from the arrival of Gareth Bale from Tottenham, though only Ozil ended up making the move to the Emirates Stadium.
“Ozil decided to leave,” he said. “He is a good player who has given us so much so we wish him well.
“There are players who have responded with strength and will to fight for a place, but not everyone reacted the same.
“Di Maria responded well and wanted to fight.”
Zidane is widely regarded as one of Real Madrid’s best-ever players and also an all-time football great in general, and now works as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.