2023-07-06 13:50:00
By Franziska Wendler
Most young footballers can only dream of these words.
When Joan Laporta was asked about Turkish super talent Arda Güler in an interview with “Tv3” a few days ago, the Barca president didn’t hold back at all: “Our scouts watched him. We think Deco, who saw him for a great talent. We’re trying to close the deal.”
However, this project was by no means crowned with success. Archrival Real Madrid announced the 18-year-old’s commitment. Güler has signed a six-year contract with Los Blancos until 2029.
Arda Güler: BVB was also said to be interested
But who is the youngster who is already being referred to as the “Turkish Messi” and who, in addition to Barca and Real, is said to have been interested in Arsenal, Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund?
Güler was born in the Turkish capital Ankara in 2005. Even as a child, Papa Ümit used special methods to turn his son into a good footballer, more precisely a good left-footer.
“We didn’t have left-footers in our family,” he revealed in the “Goal” interview last year: “I put balloons and soccer balls in front of his left foot so he could use it more often.”
An educational method that has paid off. While still in elementary school, a teacher recommended admission to a youth academy, and Güler was finally discovered by a scout from Fenerbahce Istanbul during an U14 tournament. And that despite the fact that he was playing with an ankle injury at the time. Güler then moved to Istanbul – a dream came true for the Fenerbahce fan.
Arda Güler before moving to Real Madrid: fairytale professional debut
The corona pandemic has meanwhile proved to be a disruptive factor in the development of the attacking midfielder, but the disruption was short-lived. When the game started again, Güler was used in the U17 and U19 of the Süper Lig club. In 22 games for the U19s, he scored ten times and provided the assist for seven more goals. The reward: In January 2021 he got his first professional contract.
Slowly but surely, Güler worked his way up to the pros, and after a few brief appearances, a huge exclamation point finally followed. The youngster came on as a substitute against Alanyaspor when the score was 2-2 – and then really turned it on. A goal and an assist within 15 minutes turned the game around, and in the end Fener won 5-2.
The fact that his goal also made him the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history was almost irrelevant.
Mesut Özil advises Arda Güler to stay in Turkey – for a year
Güler recently wore shirt number 10 in the Turkish Cup winners, following players like Robin van Persie and Mesut Özil. The latter, who played together with Güler at Fener in 2021 and 2022, has spoken to the media countless times in recent months and expressed his opinion on the shooting star. The “Mundo Deportivo” recently reported that Özil had suggested to the 18-year-old in a telephone call that he stay in Turkey for another year.
A piece of advice that he didn’t follow in the face of his move to Real.
Instead, the fans at the Estadio Bernabeu can now look forward to a new noble technician. One who has been used in countless positions for the Turkish national team. As a right winger, on the left side, even in the center of attack, he was already active. As a rule, however, Güler is drawn to the right half-space, where he causes unrest in the opponent. His tricky way of playing and his experienced technique always stand him in good stead.
Again and again he pulls his – thanks to Dad’s upbringing – strong left foot into the middle and tries to finish.
Arda Güler: “Offers from Arsenal and Bayern” – Real Madrid will probably draw a clause
Despite all the hymns of praise, there is still room for improvement: improving his skills with the right foot shouldn’t hurt him, and the question of his physical development in the much stronger Spanish league has yet to be answered.
Many in Turkey believe that Güler will become a “world star”, as Özil recently put it. For example, Erol Tökgözler, his former coach, said on “CNN Turk” last year: “I don’t think Arda will stay in Turkey for long. I know that there are offers from Arsenal and Bayern Munich. With each additional one After the game the number of these teams will increase. Offers of 20 to 30 million euros for Arda will become normal.”
According to Fenerbahce officials, Los Blancos will pay €20m, but bonuses can add up to €30m. In addition, the Istanbul club has secured a resale participation of 20 percent.
Only time will tell whether Güler can ultimately live up to the high expectations.
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