From Bench to Brilliance: Arda Guler’s Real Madrid Rebirth Under Alonso

A Turning Point: Guler Re-Discovers Himself Under Alonso

After two quiet years since arriving at Real Madrid, the young Turkish star Arda Guler spoke for the first time about his feelings to the Spanish media.

Having only spoken on presentation day at the Bernabeu, Guler appeared at the microphones with a smile that reflected his happiness with the present, saying that there is a lot of Arda the fans have not yet seen, and that today he feels greater joy after finding himself again on the green pitch.

Although the Turkish talent's ability has never been in doubt since joining the club, his start in the Spanish capital was not easy.

Injuries, lack of minutes, and a playing system that did not give him room to express his abilities meant Guler watched matches from the bench, carrying in his eyes the desire to play, but also a sense of frustration.

Promises From Ancelotti: Unrealized So Far

With the start of his second season at the royal club, things seemed that they might change for Arda Guler.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said at the time that he arrived in great condition, trained hard during the break, became stronger and more prepared. He will have bigger roles this season than before.

Yet, Guler failed to win the coach's trust; Ancelotti's promises remained words on a page, and the young player remained at zero point without the change he hoped for.

Despite strong displays for his country at Euro 2024 and showing he can shoulder responsibility, his problem at Real Madrid persisted.

It seemed as if his exceptional talent was getting lost in the noise of competition and the pressure for immediate results that the club demands.

Alonso's Arrival: A Golden Opportunity

Fate had a golden chance for Guler when Xabi Alonso joined the coaching staff. The Spanish coach, who reads the game through a different lens, understood that talent alone is not enough; a player needs confidence, time and space to express himself.

Alonso did not hesitate to bet on Guler, turning him from a mere free playmaker into a complete midfielder capable of linking lines, dictating tempo, and performing defensive duties alongside his distinctive technical touch.

He gave him a new map to rediscover himself, from an artist seeking freedom to an engineer who controls the game s rhythm and balances creativity with discipline.

Guler's transformation is not only about new positions; it's about a change in thinking and a fresh lens of trust that finally allowed him to shine.

Given this belief, Guler's role evolved as he became a key contributor to Alonso's project and a central piece of Real Madrid's midfield engine.

Numbers and Praise: A Quality Leap Confirmed

The results did not take long to arrive. After 15 appearances under Alonso, 13 of them as a starter, Guler had scored four goals and provided six assists, while creating 31 scoring chances, including eight big chances for teammates.

These numbers demonstrate that the 20-year-old is no longer just a bright prospect but a substantial contributor to the team's performances.

Alonso himself admitted the impact of his player, saying that he has many attributes, is a special player, and that his distribution gives the team more variety, helping the side play better with him. He also warned the youngster still needs more development and fine-tuning, signaling the road ahead remains long but with a very encouraging start.

Guler's numbers across competitions this season include 15 appearances, including 7 in La Liga with 3 goals and 3 assists, 2 in the UEFA Champions League with 1 assist, and 6 appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with a goal and two assists, taking his total to 4 goals and 6 assists in 1,077 minutes, roughly a goal every 107 minutes—a strong rate for a youngster still proving himself.

All told, Guler is no longer a merely promising talent; he has become a meaningful factor in Real Madrid's collective performance, and the Madrid faithful are finally getting a glimpse of the real Arda that many expected to emerge in Europe in the coming years.

Final note: If talent were a meal, Arda would be a five-course tasting menu, but he’s still waiting for the main course minutes. And as for Ancelotti's promises, well, let’s call that a preseason trickle; Alonso's confidence is the real transfer window.