FORMER football star Mesut Ozil plans to try out the highly recommended Penang food fare, saying that he likes spicy food and his taste buds may be able to handle the "spices" in the state, renowned as the country's gastronomic haven.
Ozil was visiting Penang, where he met his fans at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) campus in Sungai Dua.
Some 500 people, especially USM students and staff, came out to see him.
PKR's Batu Uban assemblyperson A. Kumaseran was also present together with the USM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed.
The former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder, who also played nationally for his adopted country of Germany, is of Turkish descent.
Ozil shared that there are many food outlets in Penang, filled with spices.
"I have tried some Malaysian food earlier, and I like it," said Ozil to applause.
Ozil, 37, also shared that he plans to develop a football academy in Istanbul, Turkey, to help identify grassroots talents for the footballing world.
He also expressed confidence that Arsenal can win the Premier League in the waning days of the season after the club was tied with Manchester City at the summit of the 20-team league.
Besides spending time with his family, Ozil also hopes to unearth new talent among the young players, citing that it is time to give back to the sport. - May 1, 2026.
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