Real Madrid 23-year-old star ahead of Guler in pecking order, likely to start in Super Cup final | OneFootball

At a time when Real Madrid desperately required the stability of a top midfielder, Eduardo Camavinga has been anything but.

The Frenchman is coming on the back of a turbulent 2025 that was dominated by injuries and lack of form, which even saw him move below Arda Guler in Real Madrid’s midfield pecking order.

Until the turn of the year, he had started in just six of 25 matches (24%), spending more time in the infirmary than on the pitch. However, everything appears to have changed with the arrival of 2026.

Camavinga’s turnaround story at Real Madrid

According to AS, the Real Madrid coaching staff now views the Frenchman ahead of Guler in the pecking order and as the superior option alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham.

This was confirmed when Alonso chose Camavinga to start against Real Betis and repeated the decision in the Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Not to mention, the team also rejected an offer from Liverpool.

Camavinga has earned the trust of Real Madrid coaching staff. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Camavinga offers a physical presence and ground coverage that Guler currently lacks, making the team feel more compact and solid defensively.

While Alonso has previously stated the need to invest heavily in Guler, the Turk’s defensive contribution has dipped, costing him his spot in the high-stakes matches. The player has overall failed to impress in the last few months.

Keeping that in mind, Camavinga is now the clear favourite to start in Sunday’s El Clasico final against Barcelona.

He has completed a remarkable turnaround from an injury-prone afterthought to a guaranteed starter in the season’s biggest game so far.

Camavinga, therefore, will be keen to impress on Sunday. A solid performance against Barcelona could go a long way in making him a crucial component in Xabi Alonso’s midfield during the second half of the campaign.