Who is Arda Guler? 'Turkish Lionel Messi' primed for Euro 2024 after Real Madrid breakthrough
06/18/2024 07:18 AM
Real Madrid prodigy Arda Guler will be among the ones to watch when he lines up for Turkey at Euro 2024 this summer.
The 19-year-old, dubbed ‘the Turkish Messi’, has found his feet at the Bernabeu in recent months following a difficult first season in Spain.
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Being compared to the Argentine GOAT is a rite of passage for attacking wonderkids and initially, Guler found it tough to live up to the hype.
Having joined Madrid in July, Guler struggled with fitness and form leading him to manage just 31 La Liga minutes by April 26.
However, in the final weeks of the season, the teenager scored five goals in five top-flight games and became the first Turkish player to win the Champions League.
He will now be looking to take his stunning form into Euro 2024.
Who is Arda Guler?
Real Madrid won the race to sign the highly coveted attacking midfielder over a host of Premier League clubs last summer.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle were all credited with an interest in Guler following his rise at Fenerbahce.
Guler made his debut for the Turkish giants at just 16 before becoming the youngest player to score for his country.
His dribbling ability coupled with his tendency to cut inside from the right wing onto his left foot naturally drew comparisons to Messi.
But the youngster has his father, Umit, to thank for favouring the same foot as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He told Goal: “We did not have any left-footers in our family.
“I put balloons and footballs in front of his left foot so he would use it more.”
Guler’s senior breakthrough in Madrid may not have been as meteoric as Jude Bellingham, who had arrived at the club a month before.
However, he had already been wowing his teammates in training, with England’s Bellingham tipping him as a future Golden Boy winner.
His late-season form also curtailed any reports that Madrid could be looking to send him out on loan next campaign.
“There’s no doubt he’ll stay here next year,” Carlo Ancelotti said.
“I really liked his great attitude, fighting and fighting for every ball. He’s going to be very important in the future.”
