Mesut Ozil has hit back at criticism in his native Germany over his apparent lack of interest whilst playing for the national team.

Germany failed to spark in a 0-0 draw against Poland last week, with Ozil earning criticism from former German international Mehmet Scholl for his body language during the game.

"Quite honestly, I don't care what others say," he told Bild. "There will always be people who voice their opinion, mostly it's negative. I don't know if they have to say it or not. When a former player or whoever wants to make headlines, it just bounces off me.

"Like I said, the coach's opinion matters: Mr Low tells me the truth."

"How much we run, how many springs, you can ask the Bundestrainer [Low], I am always in the top five. The other thing is just personal, it's aura. We are all in our own skin.

"I never wanted to prove anything, neither to myself nor anyone else. It was always my goal to help the team. There's a minority of fans and a few journalists who only measure me by how many goals I've scored or created."

"I will never [change my game], and I don't have to," Ozil added. "I've been very successful with it over the years, no matter where in this world I have played.

"Some say that I have to be more egoistic. But I am just the guy who passes the ball when's someone's in a better position."