“Stay it and work hard.” That is the message – the spirit of Serena Williams – that Arda Güler (20) shared on social media alongside a video posted on Monday, the day that Real Madrid's pre -season training started officially. The clip is a showcase of the intense work he did in the summer: swimming, lifting weights, resistance machines, body weight exercises – and of course countless hours with the ball at his feet.
That characteristic silky strike that strives for the corners of the net is still there. It is a clear explanation: this season is crucial for the Turkish midfielder and he knows. Güler has prepared and undergoes a transformation of the player who arrived in Madrid in the summer of 2023.
The journey so far has been a mix of highlights and setbacks. His first season was marred by injuries and limited him to just 440 minutes, although he could still score six goals. In 2024–25 he saw more action (2,200 minutes), pay attention six times and add eleven assists. Yet Carlo Ancelotti never completely took the leap of faith to use him as a central midfielder.
Xabi Alonso, on the other hand, did not hesitate. In the club World Cup, he used Güler as an interior midfielder – almost a central pivot – in every match, which started him in five of the six games. Güler struggled against PSG, just like the rest of Madrid, but in the run -up to that match he had helped to increase the overall game of the team. It was an example of what could come this season, which starts on August 19 for Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu against Osasuna.
To evolve from a striking attacking midfielder to a well-rounded plant, Güler had to reform his body and the transformation is striking. Beyond is the lean teenager who arrived at the age of 18, with a frame more boyish than professional. Thanks to dedicated gym work, he has added between eight and ten kilos of muscle, from 62 to more than 70 kilos. This progress stems from an all-in dedication to his lifestyle: he now lives with his physiotherapist, personal trainer and chef. Together they have adjusted his diet and training routines to build a body that is worth a midfielder at top level.
“He knows exactly what he wants – and understands that there is a process,” says those who are close to him.
On the football side, Xabi Alonso is convinced: “He has many qualities – he is a special player. His passing range is huge and we play better with him. But he still has to learn, develop. This is time to invest in his growth.” The club shares this conviction. The departure of Luka Modrić was directly connected to plans for Güler, because the minutes of the Croatian were considered crucial for the development of the Turk in an interior role. And it is already clear that Dani Ceballos is behind Güler in the rotation.
The missing piece was the mental aspect. But the inner circle of Güler is on it: he never made his decision to join Madrid. Not in the first season, when injuries limited him, nor in the second, when the team results were shaky. The transition to midfield is smoother than expected, because he is already playing that role naturally for Turkey. And despite the intense control he receives in his home country, he has been focused and not surprised.
“He knows the process,” says those who are close to him. “He accepts it with humility – and pushes himself every day.”