Germany and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has decided to donate the winnings gained from his nation's World Cup triumph to ill youngsters in Brazil.

Initial reports claimed that the former Real Madrid star had given his bonus payments, which includes £240,000 for winning the final, to children in Gaza.

However, those rumours have been quashed after the midfielder revealed that he has paid for 23 children in the World Cup host city to have surgery.

"Prior to the World Cup, I supported the surgery of 11 sick children," the Daily Mail quotes Ozil as saying. "Since the victory in the World Cup is not only due to 11 players but to our whole team, I will now raise the number to 23."

Ozil's gesture was made following Germany's 1-0 win over Argentina at the Maracana on Sunday, where Mario Gotze struck in extra time to earn his nation their fourth world title.