In a new Instagram picture, Mesut Ozil showed off how much his body has changed.

The star player who used to play for Arsenal and Real Madrid quit football a year ago this week. He was 34 years old. 

But he has made it a point to stay busy. His intense gym workouts of late have impressed even Cristiano Ronaldo, and he has posted pictures of them on social media. 

Ozil’s personal teacher, Alper Aksac, shared a new picture of him that shows how much he has improved since he retired.

When he was at the height of his playing career, the former Gunner had a much leaner body than he does now. 

Mesut Ozil has showed off his staggering body transformation in a photo on Instagram (right) in which he has a muscle-bound frame compared to his lean physique at Arsenal (left in 2013)

Ozil has dedicated to keeping himself fit since he retired from football in March 2023 (pictured with personal coach Alper Aksac

Ozil played for Arsenal and Real Madrid and made more than 250 games. He has clearly spent a lot of time building up his arm muscles because he showed them off in the picture where he and his trainer are doing the same pose.

Bacary Sagna, who used to play for Arsenal with the player, commented on the picture and joked, “Finally getting like me.”

Aksac wrote under the picture, “Nothing better.” To the best one ever,’ along with an emoji of a weightlifting hand.

Ozil posted a video of himself using figҺt ropes and pushing a heavy sled up and down the length of a gym last week. Ronaldo posted a message of support for Ozil during that week. 

The 35-year-old, who played with Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, wrote in the video’s description, “Always stay ready, then you don’t need to get ready.” 

He also put a “sand timer” and a “100” emoji in the text, which made some fans think he might be thinking about going back to football.

Ronaldo praised his tough workout by writing “Bro not bad” with a smiling emoji.

Antonio Rudiger called Ozil a “beast,” and Rio Ferdinand wrote, “Looking strong bro.” The Portuguese great isn’t the only one who says they like his change..

Ozil posted a video of himself undertaking a rigorous workout in the gym in February

Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) who played with Ozil at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, lauded him for his progress writing ‘bro not bad’ with a winking emoji

Thirty-five-year-old man quit football on March 22, 2018, but he has been staying in shape.The winner of the World Cup is on Germany’s draft list for the Over-35 tournament that will be held in England this summer.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira and former Schalke forward Kevin Kuranyi are both likely to play with him in that event. 

Ozil played over 250 games in all competitions for Arsenal over the course of eight years, after moving there from Real Madrid for £42.5 million in the summer of 2013.

He helped Arsenal win 19 Premier League games in 2015–16, which is still the club record for assists. He also won four FA Cups during his time in North London.