The youngster has not played in six of the last seven games, when Madrid have found form.
On an otherwise calm and positive day for Real Madrid, a question during Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference subtly altered his expression.
It came after the team’s 2-0 home win over Girona and concerned Arda Güler—specifically, his sudden absence from the Italian’s recent plans. With Madrid showcasing its full attacking potential, Güler’s disappearance raised eyebrows. Ancelotti’s response was terse, almost dismissive: “He’s fine, ready to play.”
It was reminiscent of his brief reply when asked what Endrick needed to do to earn more minutes: “Work.” Ancelotti can be quite talkative when he chooses, but when he doesn’t, his words are sparse. His response regarding Güler suggested a shift in perspective—one that is backed by the numbers.
Güler can’t find a way into Ancelotti’s plans
Güler has not played in six of Madrid’s last seven matches. He was left out of the squad for the past four league games, even though Madrid failed to win three of them—matches where his powerful long-range shot, arguably his biggest weapon, could have been useful. He was also absent from both legs of the Champions League tie against Manchester City. The only minutes he has seen recently came in the Copa del Rey against Leganés, where he started and played 76 minutes but failed to make a lasting impact.
It was always expected that Güler would struggle to break into the starting eleven, especially with the “Fantastic Four”—Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham—thriving. But his situation has changed dramatically. He went from featuring in seven of Madrid’s first eight Champions League and La Liga matches to not playing a single minute in the knockout rounds. In November and December, he was regularly involved; in 2025, he has played just 30 league minutes.
So far, the Copa del Rey has been his stage. He shone in Madrid’s debut against Deportiva Minera, scoring twice, and later provided two assists against Celta at the Bernabéu. His performance against Leganés was less convincing, but with the tournament resuming on Wednesday in San Sebastián against Real Sociedad, Ancelotti may turn to him again. The semi-finals are a crucial moment, meaning the coach might stick with his strongest XI and instead rotate the squad on Saturday against Betis. However, if Güler remains on the bench for both matches, concerns over his role will only intensify.
Güler’s future remains uncertain
Güler was one of last season’s revelations after Madrid paid Fenerbahçe a fixed $20 million (plus $10 million in potential bonuses) for him at just 18 years old. A torn meniscus and multiple muscle injuries limited his impact, yet he still impressed, scoring six goals in just 442 minutes—an average of one every 74 minutes. This season, he has yet to reach those heights, but his tally of three goals and five assists in 967 minutes still demonstrates his quality, contributing to a goal every 121 minutes. However, competition is fierce, and at the moment, Brahim Díaz is ahead of him in the pecking order.
For now, Güler must wait. Sources close to the player confirm Ancelotti’s claim: he is fit and available whenever called upon. The young Turk is not content with his current situation, but he understands that at a club like Real Madrid, young players often endure tough spells—just as Vinícius did before establishing himself in his fourth season.
Still, an inevitable question looms: if his situation does not improve, will Güler seek a way out? Both the club and the player believe it’s too soon to consider that possibility, but the idea carries more weight than it did last summer. Back then, Güler started the season full of optimism, especially after Ancelotti’s public gesture of affection during the Champions League celebrations. The coach even reassured fans, playfully excusing the young player’s shyness before embracing him.
Clearly, Ancelotti had big plans for Güler this season. So did the player himself. But somewhere along the way, something seems to have changed.