Malappuram: Vailathur native Muhammed Ashraf’s biggest dream has come true – meeting German footballer Mesut Ozil. Ashraf is such a big fan of the Arsenal star that his friends call him Mac Ozil.
Ashraf spoke with his favourite star for a while and took a picture with him. He even made the German ask ‘Sukhamano?’ (how are you) in Malayalam. The two met in Dubai on Monday.
Ozil was in Dubai on a Arsenal’s tour of Middle East. Ashraf met him at the hotel he was staying along with friend Mansur Muhammed Ali, a Cheruvathur native. Conveying his gratitude for their love and support, Ozil chatted with the two.
Ozil was astonished to hear Ashraf had named his son after the footballer. He even gifted them signed jerseys.
Ozil’s video with the duo where he asks ‘Sukhamano’ has gone viral on social media. Ashraf, who works in a construction firm in Fujaira, took leave for three days to meet his idol. It was Ashraf’s Instagram friendship with German native Ramzan that made the meeting possible.
Ashraf had gone to the hotel on Saturday afternoon as instructed by the team manager. But the meeting did not happen even though he waited until midnight. He tried again on Monday.
He watched Ozil on the pitch for the first time in real when Arsenal played at Al-Maktoum Stadium. Ashraf noted about his meeting on social media: ‘My biggest wish has come true. I shared the love for him with a hug.’
Ashraf’s craze for Germany and Ozil had gone to such an extent that he painted his bedroom in the German flag’s colours for his wedding. Mac Ozil is also a member of Vailathur’s fan club ‘Ozilum Pillerum’.
