Arda Guler shines for Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso's gem

Young talent Arda Guler stood out in the last two matches with Real Madrid at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, being the gem of Xabi Alonso.

When they need each other

Xabi Alonso and Arda Guler both saved each other in Real Madrid's first match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal.

The Saudis controlled the tempo of the game, and Alonso, on his debut under the scorching Miami sun, needed a solution to regain the initiative. Guler was on the bench, waiting for his chance after two long years of struggling to find a place in the team.

Guler stood out in the win over Pachuca. Photo: Imago

After the break, Alonso and Guler seemed to have found common ground. “He is a special player,” Xabi said a few days later. “The more he touches the ball, the better he plays, and the team plays better. Arda had a big impact in the second half.”

Real Madrid 's style of play changed completely when Guler came on. The player explained Alonso's request: "He wanted me to try to control the tempo."

Despite only playing two matches, Guler has shown his role as a catalyst, including in the match against Salzburg on Friday morning (8am on June 27), the final group stage match, in the context that Kylian Mbappe is still unable to play after being hospitalized.

Guler is currently Real Madrid's second-most passes per 90 minutes (among players who have played at least that amount of time).

According to Hudl Statsbomb, he averages 56.1 passes per game, second only to Dean Huijsen (60.7). He is most recognised for playing close to the playmaking area.

“I am happier because I am playing, and I am playing in the middle,” Guler shared after the match against Pachuca, with 1 goal.

The Turkish star continues to play in the middle. “It’s better for me. It’s better than playing on the wing,” he said earlier about the position he feels most effective in.

Xabi Alonso brought Guler into the center and it was very effective. Photo: Imago

His statement was a bit nostalgic about two difficult years: the first year he suffered a knee injury right after arriving, making it difficult for him to get into the rhythm of the team, the second year he was mainly pushed to the right wing in the rare times he played.

Center of the game

“I feel most comfortable as an eight or a 10. But if the team needs me on the wing, that’s fine,” he said. “But Xabi sees me as a central midfielder. We’ve talked a lot and he sees me as a midfielder.”

Whether deep or high: “If I play as a 6 or 8, he wants me to drop deep to develop the play. If I play as a 10, he wants me to play between the lines to create chances.”

Always in the middle of the pitch. “Xabi wants to have more control of the game. We are trying to change that.”

These plans have been communicated to him and his family by the club, helping Guler feel confident about the future, despite Real Madrid's signing of left-footed Argentine Franco Mastantuono from River Plate (joined on 14 August).

Mastantuono is considered more suitable on the right wing and still needs time to adapt – something Guler has overcome.

The position earmarked for Guler is the one Luka Modric will leave after the end of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Modric staying for a final season, which was not in the club's original plans, delayed Guler's introduction into the centre of play.

Now Modric is in the midst of his farewell, and one of Alonso's wishes is for the young players to learn as much as possible from the Croatian legend. Guler, however, has struggled.

Guler has a promising future with Xabi Alonso. Photo: Imago

“He didn’t take the initiative to ask for advice, maybe because of his lack of confidence, his young age, the language barrier… Guler watched and listened. He dreamed of becoming what Luka was to the team,” the team member revealed.

In the US, Guler excelled in the most difficult situations. No one on the team had a higher passing accuracy rate when pressed (92%).

Excluding goalkeepers and defenders, he passed the ball forward most often (19%).

Guler ranks second in the Real Madrid squad for most passes into the final third per game: 8.3, behind only Trent Alexander-Arnold with 8.9.

Xabi Alonso has opened up a new horizon, taking Guler out of the area that once discouraged him. “I am very motivated, because a new coach means new things” .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/arda-guler-bung-no-voi-real-madrid-vien-ngoc-cua-xabi-alonso-2415343.html