“Keep at it and work hard.” That’s the message—echoing the spirit of Serena Williams—that Arda Güler (20) shared on social media alongside a video posted Monday, the day Real Madrid’s preseason training officially began. The clip is a showcase of the intense work he put in over the summer: swimming, lifting weights, resistance machines, bodyweight exercises—and of course, countless hours with the ball at his feet.
That signature silky strike aiming for the corners of the net is still there. It’s a clear statement: this season is crucial for the Turkish midfielder, and he knows it. Güler has been preparing, undergoing a transformation from 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, limiting him to just 440 minutes, though he still managed to score six goals. In 2024–25, he saw more action (2,200 minutes), again netting six times and adding eleven assists. Yet Carlo Ancelotti never quite took the leap of faith to use him as a central midfielder.
Xabi Alonso, on the other hand, hasn’t hesitated. In the Club World Cup, he deployed Güler as an interior midfielder—almost a central pivot—in every match, starting him in five of the six games. Güler struggled against PSG, as did the rest of Madrid, but in the lead-up to that match, he had helped elevate the team’s overall play. It was a preview of what could come this season, which begins for Madrid on August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu against Osasuna.
To evolve from an eye-catching attacking midfielder to a well-rounded central one, Güler has had to reshape his body—and the transformation is striking. Gone is the skinny teenager who arrived at 18, with a frame more boyish than professional. Thanks to dedicated gym work, he’s added between eight and ten kilos of muscle, going from 62 to over 70 kilos. This progress stems from an all-in commitment to his lifestyle: he now lives with his physiotherapist, personal trainer, and chef. Together, they’ve tailored his diet and training routines to build a body worthy of a top-level midfielder.
“He knows exactly what he wants—and understands there’s a process,” say those close to him.
On the football side, Xabi Alonso is confident: “He has a lot of qualities—he’s a special player. His passing range is huge, and we play better with him. But he still needs to learn, to develop. Now is the time to invest in his growth.” The club shares this belief. Luka Modrić’s departure was directly tied to plans for Güler, as the Croatian’s minutes were seen as crucial to the Turk’s development in an interior role. And it’s already clear that Dani Ceballos is behind Güler in the rotation.
The missing piece was the mental aspect. But Güler’s inner circle insists: he has never questioned his decision to join Madrid. Not in the first season, when injuries limited him, nor in the second, when team results were shaky. Transitioning to midfield has been smoother than expected, as he already plays that role naturally for Turkey. And despite the intense scrutiny he receives in his home country, he has remained focused and unfazed.
“He knows the process,” say those close to him. “He accepts it with humility—and pushes himself every day.”