Real Madrid delight in the rise of their Turkish Messi

Arda Guler has seized his chance in Jude Bellingham’s absence, forming a devastating partnership with Kylian Mbappe and becoming the creative heartbeat of Real Madrid.

Arda Guler moved to Real Madrid in 2023 as one of Turkish football's hottest properties. Pic: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Any team, no matter their stature, would nominally struggle if they lost a player of Jude Bellingham’s calibre. The England international underwent shoulder surgery after Real Madrid’s Club World Cup exit over the summer, and it meant that Saturday’s welcome of Valencia marked just his fourth league start of the season.

Bellingham has been in flying form since returning to fitness. Indeed, Saturday’s strike against Los Che means he’s now scored in three successive outings for Xabi Alonso’s side. The 22-year-old is showing the form exhibited in his debut campaign in Madrid. Los Blancos could have faltered in the youngster’s absence. Rather, they lead La Liga.