• Mesut Ozil has undergone a dramatic body transformation since his retirement
• Ozil now sports a muscle-bound frame compared to his previous skinnier one
• Phil Foden reveals what it's REALLY like to play for Pep Guardiola in an It's All Kicking Off special. Listen on , Apple or anywhere you get your podcasts 

Mario Gomez has claimed Mesut Ozil may be attempting to become a 'little Cristiano Ronaldo', amid his post-retirement body transformation.

Ozil, 35, enjoyed a distinguished career for the likes of Werder Bremen, Real Madrid and Arsenal before hanging up his boots last year after stints with Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir.

The former attacking midfielder - who also won the 2014 World Cup with his country - was known for his technical style and skinny frame during his time in the game.

However, since retirement, Ozil has caught the eye due to his body transformation, with the midfielder bulking up dramatically.

And Gomez, who was Ozil's team-mate with Germany, suggested a potential reason for the former Arsenal star's physical change.

'First of all, it’s admirable how he pulls it off,' Gomez told the Phrasenmaher podcast.

'However, I am someone who believes in the happy medium because I have experienced swings in both directions and know that extremes often lead to nothing good.

'I don't know what his mission is behind this. It looks a bit crass and wouldn't be my thing - but that's not the point.

'When you come out of a career in which you received a lot of encouragement and praise for years, you naturally look for something that fulfils you.

'Mesut now seems to have found this in the gym. He also played with Ronaldo and maybe thinks: Now I have time to become a little Cristiano.'

Ronaldo and Ozil were team-mates at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 before the German moved onto Arsenal.

The Portuguese superstar has been known for his ripped physique and relentless fitness regime throughout his career, with Ronaldo still starring despite now being 39.

Last month, the Al-Nassr star heaped praise on Ozil for his transformation.

Commenting on a post which showed him working in the gym Ronaldo said: 'Bro not bad,' accompanied by a wink emoji.