Arda Guler: The Rising Star Joining Real Madrid
He is the Ronaldo of the future. His first tweet after signing the agreement with the club Real Madrid is so fast viewing, which shows his fan following is so strong at the age of just 18.
Arda Guler, an 18-year-old Turkish football prodigy who became one of the most sought-after players in the 2023 summer transfer market. After an intense bidding war, Real Madrid emerged victorious in securing his signature. With his impressive performances at Fenerbahçe, where he excelled in multiple statistical categories, Guler is set to become a crucial part of Los Blancos’ first-team squad for the 2023/24 season. Here are some intriguing facts about the young talent.
1. Ankara’s Football Prodigy: Arda Guler hails from Ankara, Turkey’s capital city, where he honed his football skills in the Gençlerbirliği academy. He later moved to Istanbul to play for Fenerbahçe’s U19 team, catching the attention of scouts with his exceptional talent. At just 16 years and 174 days old, he made his senior debut for Fenerbahçe during a Europa League qualification match.
2. The Youngest Scorer for Turkey: Guler’s impressive performances at Fenerbahçe led to a swift call-up to the Turkish national team. With four international caps to his name, he made history by becoming the youngest player ever to score a goal for Turkey in a competitive match during a Euro 2024 qualifier against Wales.
3. Following Mesut Ozil’s Legacy: Often compared to former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, Guler had the opportunity to learn from Ozil when the German player was part of the Fenerbahçe squad. After Ozil’s departure, Guler took on the №10 jersey, a significant honor at the Turkish club, previously worn by the legendary Alex De Souza. He handled the pressure with maturity and grace.
4.The Left-Footed Magic: Guler’s exceptional left foot and silky touch have been instrumental in his success. His father, Umit, played a pivotal role in nurturing this talent from a young age. Placing balloons and footballs in front of young Arda’s left foot encouraged him to kick with his dominant side, leading to the magical left-footed player he is today.
5. The Ballboy’s Heroics: During his time at the Gençlerbirliği academy, Guler served as a ballboy in certain matches. In one particular game against Trabzonspor in 2018, the away side won a penalty. Young Guler, then 12 years old, correctly predicted the direction of the shot and advised his team’s goalkeeper to dive to the right. The goalkeeper followed his advice, saving the penalty and showcasing Guler’s football intelligence even from the sidelines.
Arda Guler’s incredible talent, versatility, and football intelligence have earned him a place among the finest young players in the world. As he joins Real Madrid, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his silky footwork, precise passing, and tactical prowess on the pitch. With his immense potential, Guler is undoubtedly a player to watch as he embarks on a new chapter in his promising career with the Spanish giants.