Mesut Ozil will have more free time to focus on his FIFA esports team after retiring from international football. The 29-year-old Arsenal midfielder announced the team earlier this year around the time of the FIFA 18 eWorld Cup final.
According to Sport Bild, Ozil is stepping up his efforts to build the team, which already has a coach in place. He and his staff are scouting FIFA 19 players and hope to add five new professionals, with the goal of fielding a roster drawn from five continents: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and South America.
Chasing the FIFA 18 world champion
Unlike Ruud Gullit, who built an esports academy for inexperienced players, or Cristian Fuchs, who signed a player from Singapore, Ozil is reportedly aiming to bring in the world's best. He is said to be trying hard to sign Saudi Arabian player Mosad "Msdossary" Aldossary, who won the FIFA 18 eWorld Cup this year and took home $250,000 (£200,000) along with the trophy.
Ozil gave Msdossary box tickets to watch Arsenal's opening game against Manchester City at the Emirates, then met him afterward in the stadium's underground car park. Msdossary is currently signed to esports organization Team Rogue, which has investment from DJ Steve Aoki.
Backup targets across the continents
If Msdossary does not sign, Ozil is reportedly ready to choose 18-year-old Taichi "Web" Aoki as his Asia representative, despite the fact that Aoki does not speak English. He is also said to be hoping to sign Canadian player Nawid "GoalMachine21" Noorzai, the best-performing North American at the eWorld Cup.
For South America, Brazilians Pedro "PResende7" Resende Soares and Josaci "JSSF107" Santana de Sena Filho are possibilities after signing last week with eSportsReputation, the organization helping Ozil build the team. There are currently no African players competing at the top level, meaning Ozil will need to do heavy scouting to fill that spot.
