Newsletters
Turkish star Arda Guler has delivered a message ahead of the FIFA World Cup, insisting that Türkiye is ready for the challenge despite the scale of competition.
Speaking to TRT Spor, the 20-year-old midfielder said he is fully fit after recovering from injury and is determined to play a key role on the global stage.
“Thank God, I feel very good. I have no physical problems. I want to arrive at the World Cup in my best condition and help my country,” he stated, adding that while the tournament will be extremely difficult, the squad believes in itself.
Guler confirmed that he has recovered from injury and is feeling physically strong ahead of the tournament. He said his priority is to arrive in peak condition and contribute to Türkiye’s campaign on football’s biggest stage.
The Turkish national also highlighted the strong atmosphere within the national team under head coach Vincenzo Montella, describing it as "unified and positive." He said he is primarily being used in the number 10 role and stressed that the team is focused on collective performance rather than individual debates in attack.
At the club level, Guler opened up about his tactical journey at Real Madrid, explaining how he was previously used on the right side but has long been viewed as a central midfielder by his coaches.
He pointed to the influence of Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso in shaping his development, revealing that Alonso personally told him he would be deployed centrally—something he described as a key and positive turning point.
The midfielder also paid tribute to Luka Modric, calling him one of the most competent midfielders of his generation and expressing deep respect for his qualities.
“Modric is an incredible player. I feel very lucky to learn from him. I think he is one of the most complete midfielders of our generation. Even today, we still don’t fully define what position he plays—whether it’s a 10, an 8, or a 6, he can do everything at a very high level. I also see some similar qualities in myself, but I think we don’t actually play the same role. Maybe I can contribute more in terms of goals and show a bit more of my ‘magic’, but of course following in his footsteps is extremely important,” Guler said.
He further revealed he remains in contact with Alonso, who sent him a message of praise after a standout performance against Bayern Munich.
He also spoke about his on-field understanding with Kylian Mbappe, describing a “special chemistry” between them and saying they share a similar vision of football. Guler added that Mbappe is not only an exceptional player but also a very strong character off the pitch.
Closing on a determined note, Guler said he embraces pressure at the highest level, pointing out that clubs like Real Madrid and national teams like Türkiye are built on a winning mentality. “If there is pressure, I am here for it,” he said.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
