Mourinho: Ozil will make history at Real

Posted Sunday, May 27, 2012 by ESPN

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes playmaker Mesut Ozil has what it takes to become one of the club's all-time greats.

Ozil has been a star for Los Blancos since moving from Werder Bremen in 2010, racking up 17 goals and 48 assists in 105 appearances.

Already, the €15million fee Madrid reportedly forked out for his services appear a real bargain and Mourinho believes the Germany international could go on and emulate two greats of the club.

"He is the best number 10 in the world," the Portuguese tactician said at the Sustainable Success & Leadership Conference in Ankara.

"Everyone loves him and sees a bit of [Luis] Figo and [Zinedine] Zidane in him. He will make history at Real Madrid."

Ozil played a key role for Mourinho this season as Real ended a four-year wait for a La Liga triumph, something he believes was made all the more special because of the margin they beat Barcelona by.

"Real Madrid finished with 100 points; Barcelona with 91," the former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss added. "That's a point difference as large as in many of the minor leagues.

"You don't come across this kind of situation in the major leagues. We can use England, Italy and France as an example. Nine points is a very big gap.

"We should also not forget that we were fighting against the world's best team in the league."

Mourinho has now won domestic league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.