Mesut Ozil shook German football to its very core after their World Cup humiliation.

Die Mannschaft crashed out of the tournament at the group stage for the first time since 1938, winning just one of their three games.

After the dust had settled, Ozil took to Twitter to release a three-part statement detailing why he was leaving the national team.

Arsenal's creative midfielder believed he was the subject of racism from the German FA, citing numerous examples throughout the statement.

It sparked one of the biggest footballing debates of the year and has helped highlight the issue of racism in football.

What has been even more shocking is the reaction from German teammates Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.

Both refused to stand by the side of their countryman, denying that any racism had come from the team.

At no point did Ozil ever suggest there was a hint of racism from within the German camp and Antonio Rudiger has been the first to point out Kroos and Muller's glaring mistake.

"What I don't understand in this whole discussion is why some people are discussing whether there is racism within the national team," the Chelsea defender told Deutsche Presse Agentur.

"Mesut himself never said that in one sentence! I think it's extremely sad how this has developed. Mesut was always a player in the Germany team that I looked up to. Too bad he will not be there now.

"In any case, we were all responsible for our elimination, it was down to individuals."

The fact it has taken so long for something that sensible to have been said is rather concerning.

Both Kroos and Muller are guilty of trying to defuse a situation that needs to be talked about and sorted.

Not to mention both of them trying to alter Ozil's statement with fake accusations, making Rudiger's input even more crucial.

Kudos, Antonio.