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Mesut Ozil Cristiano RonaldoGetty
Chris Burton

'A little Cristiano Ronaldo!' - Mesut Ozil's former team-mate stunned by ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid ace's incredible body transformation

C. Ronaldo
Real Madrid
Saudi Pro League
M. Ozil
Al Nassr FC
Arsenal
Germany
LaLiga

Mesut Ozil’s remarkable transformation since hanging up his boots has led to former Germany team-mate Mario Gomez to brand him “a little Cristiano”.

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Playmaker retired in 2023
  • Has been hitting the gym hard
  • Likened to Portuguese superstar

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    World Cup winner Ozil, who retired in 2023, was often accused of being lightweight and lacking the stomach for a fight during his distinguished playing career. He graced the books of Real Madrid and Arsenal, while claiming a global crown in 2014, but was famed for his relaxed approach to playmaking.

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The 35-year-old has now bulked up considerably, with more time being spent in the gym pumping iron than he ever did when turning out at Santiago Bernabeu and Emirates Stadium. Ex-Blancos colleague Ronaldo is among those to have been left suitably impressed by Ozil’s body reshaping, commenting “bro not bad” on one social media post.

  • WHAT GOMEZ SAID

    Gomez has now had his say on the new hulking version of Ozil, telling the Phrasenmaher podcast: “First of all, it's admirable how he pulls it off. However, I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good. I don't know what his mission is behind this.

    "It looks a bit crass and wouldn't be my thing - but that's not the point. When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you. Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym. He also played with Ronaldo and maybe thinks: 'Now I have time to become a little Cristiano'.”

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo Mesut OzilGetty

    WHAT NEXT?

    Ronaldo, who is still going strong at 39 years of age while on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, is famed for his relentless work ethic and ability to keep himself in the best possible shape. Ozil now boasts the physical frame to compete with CR7 – who he spent three years working alongside in Madrid between 2010 and 2013.