Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has designated Turkish midfielder Arda Guler as a central figure for the upcoming club season, despite the player experiencing an early group-stage exit with Turkey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June 2026.
According to reports from Marca and Fanatik, Guler will occupy a vital position in the midfield hierarchy under Mourinho, who took over managerial duties after Florentino Perez secured reelection as club president.
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Guler recorded six goals and a team-high 14 assists across 51 appearances during the 2025-2026 campaign, prompting Mourinho to block the buyback transfer of 21-year-old midfielder Nico Paz from Como to avoid overcrowding the squad.
The decision to halt the retrieval of Paz stems directly from tactical spacing, as El Nacional reported that Paz operates in the exact central and half-space areas utilized by Guler and Jude Bellingham.
Mourinho's Support After World Cup Disappointment
Following national team defeats against Australia and Paraguay, Guler publicly expressed his disappointment regarding the tournament outcomes.
"Utanç duyuyoruz," said Guler.
The young athlete additionally apologized to the Turkish public while discussing the high caliber of clubs represented by the national roster.
"Çok büyük takımlarda oynuyoruz, böyle olmamalıydı," he added.
Spanish media outlet elgoldigital reported that Mourinho personally contacted Guler via telephone to offer reassurance and discourage self-blame after the international elimination.
"Kendini suçlayacak hiçbir şeyin yok. Maçlarını izledim ve takımının en iyi oyuncusuydun.
Kapat ve enerjini topla. Birlikte şampiyonluklar kazanacağız," Mourinho told Guler.
