Xabi Alonso Labels Arda Guler a ‘Mix’ of Two Real Madrid Legends

Special Praise for the Influential Turkey Star as Madrid Prepare for Juventus Showdown

When Xabi Alonso speaks, people listen. The Real Madrid coach, known for his calm authority and football intellect, doesn’t hand out compliments lightly. But ahead of Madrid’s Champions League clash with Juventus, Alonso couldn’t help but heap praise on one of his brightest young stars — Arda Guler.

“He’s a mix between Mesut Özil and Guti,” Alonso said with a smile. “Not just because of his origins, but because of his quality. Guti could play close to the crease and deliver that final pass, and Arda has that same vision, that calmness. The more we find Arda, the better we play.”

In one sentence, Alonso encapsulated everything Madrid fans have been whispering for months — that Guler, at just 20 years old, might be something special.

The Making of a ‘Mix’

For Madrid supporters of a certain era, hearing those two names — Özil and Guti — in the same breath evokes nostalgia. The effortless elegance of Guti, capable of splitting defenses with one touch; the precision and grace of Özil, gliding between the lines, stitching attacks together with genius-level timing.

And now, in Guler, Alonso sees traces of both.

The Turkish playmaker, who arrived from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023, is finally showing why Madrid moved so quickly to secure his signature. His balance on the ball, his awareness of space, and his creative instincts make him stand out even in a squad packed with world-class talent. “He’s a mix of that Spanish intuition and that Turkish flair,” said one Madrid insider. “He sees passes most players can’t.”

Under Alonso’s management, Guler isn’t just thriving — he’s evolving. His numbers don’t tell the full story, but they hint at his growing influence: two goals, two assists, and a string of electric performances that have earned him La Liga’s Under-23 Player of the Month award for September.

From Fenerbahce Prodigy to Bernabéu Bright Light

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It wasn’t an easy start for Guler in Madrid. When he joined, he was still nursing minor injuries and adjusting to the pace of Spanish football. Early on, his minutes were limited. But Alonso, patient as ever, decided to ease him in rather than rush.

That patience is paying off. In Madrid’s 2-1 win over Mallorca, Guler scored his first goal of the season — a confident strike that summed up his composure. Against Getafe, he came off the bench to set up Kylian Mbappé’s winner, showing he could make an impact in tight games.

Since then, the 20-year-old has become a regular presence in Madrid’s rotation, often playing as an advanced midfielder or wide playmaker. Alonso’s system — fluid, positional, and rooted in quick passing — seems tailor-made for him. “The more he touches the ball, the more rhythm we find,” Alonso said. “He gives us clarity.”

The Weight of Comparisons and the Freedom of Youth

Being called a mix of Özil and Guti is flattering, but also heavy. Those are names etched in Madrid’s mythology. Yet Guler seems unfazed. Maybe it’s his calm personality, maybe it’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing his own ability — but he plays like someone unburdened by expectations.

Teammates describe him as focused and grounded. “He doesn’t talk much, but when he’s on the ball, everyone listens,” said Dani Carvajal in a recent interview. “You can feel he’s going to be something big.”

Alonso agrees — but he’s also careful to manage the hype. “We have to keep pushing him to improve his game,” he said. “Talent alone isn’t enough. He needs to stay sharp, focused, and patient.”

Madrid’s Midfield Puzzle: Balancing Brilliance and Competition

If there’s one area where Madrid are spoiled for choice, it’s midfield. Between Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Brahim Díaz, and now Guler, Alonso has an embarrassment of riches. Add in Endrick pushing for minutes and veterans like Luka Modrić still contributing, and you have one of the deepest squads in Europe.

For Guler, that means nothing is guaranteed. “This is elite football,” Alonso reminded. “You have to earn your place every week.”

Even so, Guler’s recent performances make him hard to leave out. He offers something different — a rare blend of creativity and composure, a player who can unlock a stubborn defense or slow down the game’s rhythm when needed. In a team often driven by power and pace, his artistry feels like a throwback to another era.

“He’s modern but classic,” said Alonso. “He reminds me of players who could dictate the game without running too much. Just with intelligence.”

Eyes on Juventus: A European Test

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Now comes a crucial stretch. Madrid host Juventus in what promises to be a tactical duel — Alonso’s evolving side versus Igor Tudor’s struggling but dangerous team. The Bernabéu will be buzzing, especially with El Clásico looming just days later.

Madrid are flying high after a dominant 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty, where Mbappé’s hat-trick stole the headlines. But inside the club, everyone knows Juventus will be a different kind of challenge. “They might not be in their best form,” Alonso said, “but Juve always fight.”

Indeed, Juventus arrive in Spain after a rough spell. They’ve drawn five of their last seven games — including dramatic 4-4 and 2-2 matches in the Champions League — and have won just once in their last 11 away European fixtures. Their recent 2-0 loss to Como didn’t help morale either.

For Alonso, though, this is precisely the kind of night he relishes: big opponent, tactical test, high stakes. And for Guler, it’s another opportunity to show why he’s earning comparisons with Madrid royalty.

The Rise of the Turkish Maestro

Nicknamed “the Turkish Lionel Messi” back home, Guler’s story feels like something out of a football fairytale. Born in Ankara, he was a prodigy from the start, dazzling scouts with his technique and vision. When Madrid came calling, Fenerbahce fans were heartbroken but proud — they knew he was destined for the biggest stage.

Now, in Spain, he’s living that dream. His family often travels to Madrid to watch him play; his teammates have nicknamed him “El Niño Tranquilo” — the calm kid. And yet, beneath that composure, there’s a fiery determination.

“He’s quiet, but competitive,” Alonso noted. “You see it in training — he hates losing. That’s what I love.”

The Week That Could Define Madrid’s Season

Beyond Juventus, El Clásico looms. It’s the week every Madrid player lives for. Barcelona, led by Xavi Hernández, are breathing down their necks in La Liga. Alonso knows the fine line between confidence and fatigue, especially with injuries affecting Eder Militão, Vinícius Jr, and others.

That’s why Guler’s versatility and freshness could prove invaluable. He can rest one of the stars, or come on as a game-changer. “We’ll need everyone,” Alonso said. “Guler, Viní, Mbappé — all of them have a role.”

Madrid’s goals are clear: win the group in Europe, take control in La Liga, and build rhythm heading into the winter stretch. To do that, they’ll need not just stars, but thinkers — players who see the game the way Alonso once did.

And that’s where Guler comes in. “He understands football,” Alonso said simply. “He reads situations before they happen. You can’t teach that.”

More Than a Mix — A New Madrid Identity

It’s easy to call Arda Guler a “mix of Özil and Guti,” but that might sell him short. He’s carving his own identity — a bridge between eras. Part of the old Madrid, defined by artistry and imagination, and part of the new Madrid, built on intensity and precision.

In Alonso’s system, that duality makes him priceless. “He’s not just here to learn,” Alonso said. “He’s here to lead, in his own way.”

As the lights go up at the Bernabéu for the Juventus clash, all eyes will be on Mbappé, Vinícius, and the usual suspects. But somewhere between the lines, quietly dictating tempo and finding space where none seems to exist, will be Arda Guler — the mix, the magician, the future.

And if Alonso’s words are anything to go by, Madrid may have just found their next legend in the making.