Arda Güler’s first Real Madrid interview: “many European clubs showed a great interest in me”

Arda Güler, Real Madrid’s new Turkish delight, has impressed wildly since his arrival to the Spanish capital. The skill video, which I’m sure you’ve seen, has lit up the internet and his effort has also made an impact on both the club and the fans.

The ex-Fenerbahçe player arrived after plenty of teams had followed his progress in the Turkish league, something he recognised in his first official interview with the club: “many European clubs showed a great interest in me, but when Real Madrid want you, the best club in the world, the decision is easy”.

Güler wants to be a ‘legend’ at Madrid

Despite being just 18-years-old, Güler did not shy away from the pressure of playing for Madrid, a notoriously difficult club at which to succeed on a personal level. Madrid waits for nobody, but Güler would like to be “a legend” at the club and said he wants to “enter into the history” of Real Madrid, which has “won a lot of titles throughout its history.”

Seeing the 14 European Cups that lean over the stadium and push down players like fists of The Almighty, Güler admitted he felt “an incredible feeling”. The young man was aware of his age and also said that Madrid was a place where he aimed to “evolve his play” and “work on [his] sporting career”.

Despite questions about where he will fit in at Madrid and the fact that he even admitted in a press conference he would not be going out on loan and forming part of Madrid’s pre-season plans, the new number 24 called himself “an offensive player”, while also saying that he is “capable of scoring, assisting, dribbling and running with the ball”, skills he has shown at Fenerbahçe.

Güler uses Vinicius Jr as an example to follow

Real Madrid’s transfer policy is something that, despite the perception from some people that they only want to sign Galácticos, the club are actively looking to bring in younger talent that they can develop and, as Güler says, evolve at the club. The Turkish midfielder recognised his age and the fact that the club have indeed given time to younger players who have now grown up to become some of the best in the world: “I remember when Rodrygo, Vini, Camavinga and Valverde came here”, Güler said, “they were 18, just like me. I remember that moment really well, they’re really good players and now they are my teammates.”

“Some of my idols were Zidane, Özil and Guti”, Güler admitted, naming three Real Madrid attacking midfielders from three different eras, “I even had the chance to play alongside Özil”.

Finally, the player said that he feels “at home” in Madrid before giving out the customary “Hala Madrid” chant.