Mesut Ozil Can Finally Put His Stamp on Germany at Euro 2016

UEFA Euro 2016 will be Mesut Ozil's fourth major tournament with Germany. Despite his involvement in three largely successful tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup that brought the long-awaited first trophy since 1996, and earning more than 70 caps since making his debut in February 2009, Ozil has yet to really put his stamp on the national team.

Others have earned the laurels in those three previous tournaments, the Manuel Neuers, Thomas Mullers and Miroslav Kloses.

One of, if not the best No. 10 in the world of his generation, Ozil's Germany career needs a crowning moment. Firmly in his prime years at age 27, the Euros in France is his best chance to become the focal point of a Germany side many expect to once again compete for silverware.

During the World-Cup-winning run in Brazil, Ozil put himself "at the service of the team," as he told France Football (h/t Get French Football News). "I played in a position that was not my own."

Indeed, as Joachim Low opted for more stability in the centre of the pitch with three of Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Philipp Lahm and Christoph Kramer forming the midfield throughout the tournament, Ozil had to play on the outside, where he didn't manage to unfurl his brilliance.

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Ozil was heavily criticized during the World Cup, at which he scored the decisive goal against Algeria in the round of 16.

Former Germany international Paul Breitner was among the harshest critics, telling Munich-based tabloid TZ (h/t Enis Koylu of Goal): "If [Low] is bold, he'll say: 'I will not play with only 10 people' and drop Mesut Ozil. That would be the next step for world titles and above all a big step for the good of the team. Nine men are torturing themselves for 90 minutes and he's going for a walk. That's not what you do at a World Cup."

Although that criticism aimed at Ozil's body language was exaggerated, there's no denying the midfielder wasn't at his best in Brazil. 

In 2010, the then-21-year-old entered the World Cup in South Africa as a talented but largely inexperienced part of a young team that excited against England or Argentina but disappointed in the semi-final loss to eventual winners Spain.

Ozil scored a highly important and well-taken goal in the final match of the group stage against Ghana and impressed Jose Mourinho enough to earn a move from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid after the tournament, but Muller clearly outshone him, winning both the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player award despite missing the Spain match through suspension.

Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine was arguably Ozil's best tournament so far, as he earned a spot in the official 23-man Team of the Tournament, per UEFA.com. But with the wholeheartedly disappointing 2-1 loss against Italy in the semi-final as the lasting memory from those three weeks in Eastern Europe, it hardly suits as a legacy for the Gelsenkirchen-born playmaker.

Ozil did show his creative genius during the Euros, as this Opta graphic shows:

There's every expectation he can improve on his performances from 2012 in France this summer.

The Arsenal man is coming off his best season as a professional footballer, one in which he looked destined to lead the Gunners to glory. Bleacher Report's James McNicholas wrote in May: 

"

In the first half the season, his performances were mesmeric. He raced to 18 Premier League assists and appeared well on course to shatter Thierry Henry’s record of 20. The fact that his output has slowed since is more associated with a decline in Arsenal’s finishing ability than a dip in Ozil’s own displays.

"

Ozil's omission from the Premier League team of the season, reported by B/R's Gianni Verschueren, was downright laughable, especially because of the fact the 27-year-old was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award. He performed well for Arsenal in the biggest games, per Squawka, as he "registered assists against Manchester City (twice) and Leicester [City] (twice), while scoring against Bayern Munich and Manchester United (twice)."

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

Ozil enters the Euros after what he told France Football was his "most complete season, without physical problems and with a certain consistency," and it seems as though Germany will use him in his best position again, in the centre of attacking midfield, where his creativity and remarkable passing qualities will be of great importance—especially considering Germany don't have a reliable frontman.

In the final warm-up match against Hungary on Saturday, however, Ozil played in a deeper role in the second half. "Mesut can do a lot for our game in defensive midfield alongside Toni Kroos," Low told the German football association's official website after the match.

Playing Ozil and Kroos next to each other can only be an option against ultra-defensive opponents because of their lack of defensive prowess, as Marcus Bark pointed out for Sportschau, but one could argue it would be a waste to pull Ozil away from the danger area.

While he's never going to be the most natural goalscorer, the 27-year-old did manage his best scoring season for Arsenal with eight goals across competitions. "Where people opt to shoot, I opt for the pass, that is what makes me happiest," Ozil told France Football.

With Jerome Boateng, Kroos and, at some point during the tournament, the injured Mats Hummels, Germany already have three players who dominate in the buildup phase. Ozil should be free of those responsibilities and allowed to concentrate on what he does best: create good chances for team-mates.

If Low uses him right, there's nothing to suggest the Euros can't become Ozil's tournament.

Barcelona and Germany back-up goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen compared his compatriot to the world's greatest player before an encounter in the UEFA Champions League this season, per John Cross of the Mirror: "As a footballer he is a player that can do unthinkable things, just like [Lionel] Messi. He is impressive. He is a very significant player for the German national team and can do incredible things."

Messi finally put his stamp on a tournament at the 2014 World Cup after a number of good but not great performances for Argentina. After the season he's had, Ozil could do the same for Germany in France.

Lars Pollmann is a Featured Columnist who also writes for YellowWallPod.com. You can follow him on Twitter.