Ozil pays for Brazilian kids' operations

Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has confirmed that he has "supported the surgery" of 23 children in Brazil in the wake of his side's World Cup triumph. 

- Head to Head: Mesut Ozil at Arsenal

Ozil, 25, helped fund operations for 11 sick children in the World Cup host nation before the tournament and Germany's successful World Cup campaign has inspired him to donate more money. 

Joachim Low's victorious squad are believed to have received bonuses of 300,000 euros per player following their 1-0 victory of Argentina on Sunday. 

Ozil confirmed his charitable intentions on his official Facebook page, writing: "Prior to the #WorldCup I supported the surgery of eleven sick children [in Brazil].

"Since the victory of the #WorldCup is not only due to eleven players but to our whole team, I will now raise the number to 23."

It had been reported that Arsenal star Ozil was planning to give some of his winnings to help the relief effort in Gaza in the wake of the recent conflict in the region, but his agent Roland Eitel was quoted in the International Business Times as saying: "The claim that Mesut donated money to Gaza is not true.

"Maybe in the future, who knows? He donated money to causes in Brazil and he is now on holiday."