German defender Jerome Boateng has come to the defence of midfielder Mesut Ozil who has been a subject for criticism after Germany were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup.
The Champions were eliminated from the competition after losing their third group game to South Korea in dramatic circumstances.
Several German fans have attacked the Arsenal man on social media criticizing his lacklustre performances at the World Cup but Boateng believes that the whole team deserve the bashing and not just Mesut Ozil.
"The whole team is in charge. Together we did not manage to convince at this World Cup. We have to blame ourselves for that, " said Boateng.
"He's an artist on the ball, not a fighter in the defence like me. Maybe that's why he comes across sometimes wrong, but that does not mean that he does not want to or makes mistakes on purpose. The photo was unfortunate, it was a very difficult situation for him at the end."
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29-year-old Mesut Ozil may have played his last World Cup for Germany as he will be 33 when the 2022 World Cup is due.