Arda Güler is beginning to sound like a man on a mission. The young Turkish midfielder may have lifted the 2024 UEFA Champions League trophy with Real Madrid, but deep down, he knows he didn’t truly earn it. Fabrizio Romano shared a quote from Güler’s interview on his official X account, where he downplays his role in the club’s triumph, emphasising his drive to earn a more meaningful contribution in future campaigns.
He said with a calm honesty that struck Madrid fans right in the heart:
I don’t feel the UCL 2024 as mine… I didn’t play much, so we have to go and get a new one.
It’s a statement that sums up both his humility and quiet determination, qualities that have started to define his story in Spain, especially since his standout moments in games like Madrid’s fourth La Liga win of the season, as he finally looked free again.
Since joining from Fenerbahçe in 2023, Güler’s time at the Bernabéu has felt like a mix of promise and pause. A cruel meniscus injury during pre-season followed by nagging muscular problems kept him out for months. By the time he returned, Madrid were already cruising. Still, he managed six goals in limited minutes, flashes that hinted at what could be. The injuries were frustrating, yes, but the boy never gave up.
Kenan Yildiz, his friend and national teammate, is making waves in Italy, with Juventus celebrating the young star after a 6–1 thrashing of Bulgaria by Turkey. Proof that Turkey’s golden generation was already shining on big stages.
Everything started to change when Xabi Alonso arrived in 2025. Güler, who had struggled under Carlo Ancelotti’s rigid setup, suddenly found a coach who believed in creativity and freedom.
Arda joked:
If one day he tells me to play goalkeeper, I will buy gloves.
It was not just talk — under Alonso, he’s been trusted in deeper roles, controlling games, and finally enjoying football again.
Maybe this season will be the one that defines him. He’s fit, confident, and part of a Madrid side that’s learning to trust youth again. If he keeps growing like this, the next time Real Madrid lift that Champions League trophy, it might truly feel like Arda Güler’s own.
