Mario Cortegana provides major update on Arda Guler’s future at Real Madrid

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Siempre Madrid

·21 July 2026

Mario Cortegana provides major update on Arda Guler’s future at Real Madrid

It has been more than a week since preseason training started at Real Madrid, but Jose Mourinho is still to meet with several first team players. Most of these players are still absent from Valdebebas as they participated in the World Cup 2026, and thus started their vacation late.

However, the first player who participated in the World Cup has already reported for training under the new coach, as Arda Guler returned to the Merengue club on Monday after completing his holidays.

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His Turkiye team was eliminated in the group stage of the international competition, and thus, he, like Federico Valverde, started his holidays a bit before some of the other players who went on to play in the knockout rounds of the competition.

This return to training under Mourinho before most other big stars could turn out to be quite beneficial for the midfielder, as the upcoming season is set to increase competition for a place in the attacking midfield position.

Real Madrid have signed Bernardo Silva this summer to strengthen their midfield, and it remains to be seen whom the Portuguese manager will pick for the starting spot in this position, where Jude Bellingham and Brahim Diaz could also play.

However, despite the presence of these other players, the Turk’s future at the Merengue club is not in any doubt. Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reassures that Los Blancos have always seen Arda Guler as a cornerstone of their project going forward.

They particularly value him for his technical prowess, which stands out in a team that is filled with physically gifted players like Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga. Furthermore, the special relationship he has developed with Kylian Mbappe also makes him a very important player for Real Madrid.

Hopefully, Arda Guler will be able to keep a starting spot under Mourinho next season, and also learn from a player as experienced as Bernardo Silva to become an even more complete midfielder going forward.