海角大神

In international soccer, when a national team player retires, it is usually a bittersweet affair. But in the case of German midfielder Mesut 脰zil, it has set off a firestorm over immigration and racism.

Mr. 脰zil has been one of Germany鈥檚 biggest stars over the past decade. Of Turkish descent, he has been held up as a symbol of German multiculturalism.

But his Turkish heritage has posed challenges, particularly when he appeared in a in May with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo臒an, who has a famously tense relationship with Germany. 脰zil said the shot was innocent, but for many, it was politically loaded.

Then came Germany鈥檚 crash out of the World Cup last month. Though it was hardly his fault, 脰zil became a scapegoat, even for football association leadership. He lost sponsorships. He was lambasted in the press.

For 脰zil, it looked as if the football world that once feted him had turned racist. 鈥淚 am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose,鈥� he tweeted in his retirement announcement Sunday.

But 脰zil鈥檚 decision has set off a greater discussion. Has Germany done enough to embrace its citizens of multiple national loyalties? What should be done about the xenophobic undertone that has been exposed in German society?

Now to our five stories of the day.