Real Madrid Beat Barcelona to sign 'Turkish Messi' Arda Guler

Real Madrid have completed the signing of teenage sensation dubbed the “Turkish Messi” Arda Guler.

Barcelona were the early front-runners to sign Arda Guler on Monday night according to a number of reports, but by Tuesday evening, it became clear that Real Madrid were the only winner in the race to secure his services.

Not only did they offer a key term that satisfied the player, Los Blancos were able to offer a far superior financial package.

The 18-year-old has just been crowned a Turkish Cup champion with Fenerbahçe this season, as well as being voted man of the match in the final.

He is also a full international and the youngest player ever to score for the Turkish national side – he opened his account at just 18 years and 114 days old.

The new Real Madrid signing made his first-team debut for Fenerbahçe in August 2021, in a Europa League qualifier which came before his 17th birthday. In that 21-22 campaign, Güler went on to play 16 times and score three goals for his club. Last season saw him truly burst onto the scene, making 35 appearances, scoring six goals and delivering some stunning performances like the one in the Turkish Cup final against Basaksehir. In the showpiece event, he set up Fenerbahçe’s opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win and was named man of the match.

Arda Güler has been a full international since the 19th of November 2022. He made his debut at 17 years of age, in a friendly clash against the Czech Republic. He has now earned four caps for Turkey, scoring once. His goal came against Wales in a European Championship qualifier on June 19, 2023, making him the youngest player in his country’s history to score for the national side.

July 07, 2023