Real Madrid starlet’s future up in the air after ‘disappearance’ from Ancelotti’s plans | OneFootball

When Real Madrid beat Barcelona to the signing of Arda Guler in 2023, it was hailed as a huge coup as the Turkish sensation was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe.

It was for that reason that Los Blancos did not hesitate to shell out €20 million plus another €10 million in add-ons to secure the young attacking midfielder’s signing.

Guler, though, endured a frustrating debut season in Spain, with injuries keeping him out of the first half of the campaign and Carlo Ancelotti drip-feeding him minutes in the second half.

Even then, the youngster’s potential shone through as he finished with six goals in under 450 minutes across all competitions.

It was expected that things would go much better for the Turkish international this season but it has hardly been the case.

Guler’s future uncertain

Now, according to AS, Guler’s future at Real Madrid is now up in the air as he seems to have ‘disappeared’ from Carlo Ancelotti’s plans in recent months.

So far this season, the versatile attacking midfielder, who turns 20 tomorrow, has featured in 28 of Real Madrid’s 42 matches in all competitions but racked up only 967 minutes, in which he has three goals and five assists.

Guler’s situation looking bleak. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Guler has not played in six of Los Blancos’ last seven matches in all competitions, with his only appearance coming in the Copa del Rey clash against Leganes, where he started and played 76 minutes without making much of an impact.

It was always going to be difficult for Guler to break into the starting eleven, given the brilliance of Real Madrid’s attacking quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham. However, his situation has worsened significantly.

The teenager played in seven of the eight Champions League group-stage games but did not get a single minute in the two matches against Manchester City.

Similarly, he was given opportunities in La Liga throughout November and December but has managed just 30 minutes in the competition in 2025.

What does Guler think?

When asked about Guler’s situation after the win vs Girona, Ancelotti was curt in his reply stating that the player is fit and ready to play.

Sources close to the player confirm Ancelotti’s claim that Guler is fully fit and ready to play whenever called upon, that he is waiting for his opportunity. While he is not content with his situation, he understands that young players at big clubs face challenging periods.

However, the possibility of an exit in the summer looms. Both the club and the player believe it is too early to consider that possibility, but it is gaining more weight than it did last summer.