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Mesut Ozil: Premier League constantly gives me bruises - but I'm stronger now and can win Ballon d'Or

Mesut Ozil says he is targeting the Ballon d'Or in the next few years after settling into life in the Premier League.

The award has been exclusively won by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since 2008, with Brazilian midfielder Kaka the last player other than the two Clasico stars to pick up the gong.

The German World Cup winner has struggled with injuries for much of this season, spending three months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.


He admits the levels of physicality in the Premier League are much higher than in La Liga or the Bundesliga, but that playing in England as made him stronger.

"Should I continue to improve myself and stay healthy, I want to get my hands on the Ballon d'Or in the upcoming years," the Germany international told Sport Bild. "I am convinced that it can work out. I am headed in the right direction.

"I am a world champion and play at a top club in the Premier League. It's far more physical here [England] than in Spain or in the Bundesliga. I constantly have bruises, but it only makes me stronger, and physically I feel better than ever before."

The Arsenal midfielder has also hit back at criticism from Manchester United stalwart Paul Scholes.
Scholes suggested that the German had been 'going through the motions' since his £42.5million switch to the Emirates from Real Madrid.
However, Ozil insists the comments spur him on.

He continued: "He's entitled to say that. He wants to polarise as a pundit on TV. But in the end, such statements only give me an extra push."

Despite romping to World Cup glory in the summer, Germany have only seven points from their opening four qualifiers for Euro 2016.

They host Australia in a friendly tonight, before travelling to Georgia for a qualifier on Sunday.
 
Will Mesut Ozil win the Ballon d'Or?

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