Football star Mesut Özil’s batik outfit at Universiti Sains Malaysia goes viral, with netizens joking he might have Malaysian roots.
A video capturing former football superstar Mesut Özil visiting Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang has taken social media by storm, with fans praising his “local” style.
The clip, shared by the popular Facebook page Harimau Malaya, has amassed over 4,700 likes and hundreds of comments within hours. The caption simply reads: “Mesut Özil looking handsome wearing batik at USM, Penang.”
In the viral footage, the former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder is seen stepping out of a luxury vehicle under escort as crowds gather to record the moment. What captured the public’s imagination most was his choice of attire: a vibrant yellow Malaysian batik shirt.
The outfit led many Malaysians to joke that the German World Cup winner looked like a local politician. Comments quickly flooded in, with user Khairi Khamis dubbing him “YB Mesut Özil”, while Mohd Ilias added, “I thought he was a YB [Yang Berhormat] at first.”
The Malaysian habit of “claiming” international stars with local roots was out in full force. User Afiq Danish jokingly concocted an elaborate backstory for the player:
“He’s going to be a naturalised player… his ancestors are Javanese from Johor and used to go fishing with the Temenggong at Sungai Segget.”
Seniman Mohd Hafiez joined in the fun, adding: “His grandfather is from Meru (done claim).”
Football enthusiasts also linked his visit to the current English Premier League (EPL) title race. Some fans optimistically suggested that Özil’s presence in Malaysia might be a lucky omen for his former club.
Mohd Rafie wrote: “With him coming to Malaysia, there’s a big chance Arsenal will win the EPL this season.” Meanwhile, Putera Muiszz took a more practical view on Malaysian football, hoping some of the midfielder’s legendary vision would rub off: “I hope Özil teaches our midfielders how to pass properly.”
Beyond the jokes, many simply appreciated the gesture of a global icon embracing Malaysian culture. Comments such as Hakim Hashim’s “Beautiful Malaysian batik” reflected the general sentiment of warmth towards the star’s visit.
Whether launching an academy or simply enjoying the sights of Penang, Özil has once again proven his “assist” king status—this time by providing a significant boost to Malaysian social media morale.
