Mesut Ozil's retirement from the Germany national team has been a big talking point in the past few months.

The German playmaker was caught posing for photos with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the start of the World Cup, leading to much criticism in Germany.

And following Germany's exit from the tournament, Ozil announced he would no longer represent his national side.

"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level while I have this feeling of racism and disrespect," he said, per the BBC.

"I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't. I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten."

"I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."

Joachim Low has now spoken out on Ozil's retirement, and he has revealed that Ozil has refused to get into contact him over the situation.

"His agent called me and told me that Mesut would announce his retirement," said Low, per Sky Sports. "The player himself did not call me. Ozil has chosen a different path and until this moment, he has not called me.

"I have tried by phone and text message but I have not been able to reach him. I have to accept that, I probably underestimated the whole situation."

Low went on to state how there has never been any racism directed to Ozil from the Germany team, and labelled his statement as 'hasty'.

"The topic has taken a lot of energy, but it should not be an alibi. The statement from Ozil was perhaps a bit hasty. There has never an approach of racism in our team."

Germany team manager, Oliver Bierhoff, also had his say.

"I have spent nine marvellous years with Mesut in the national team," said Bierhoff. "He's a great footballer and we have a lot to thank him for. How his retirement happened is regrettable.

"We misjudged the situation of these emotions and also political reactions taking place. I have never seen opinions differ so much.

"But one thing is clear: a national player must not become a target for racism."