Arda Guler opens up on relationship with Ancelotti, Modric’s mentorship, Rudiger, Alaba, Courtois | OneFootball

In a heartfelt letter in The Players Tribune, Real Madrid’s young talent Arda Guler has shared a personal reflection on his life and career, especially his time at the Spanish giants.

The Turkish midfielder’s journey to the top has been full of milestones, but it’s his move to Real Madrid and the challenges he faces there that take centre stage in his letter.

Guler admits that he received offers from several top clubs, but none were as compelling as Real Madrid’s proposal. “Transfer offers from other clubs kept coming in. But I didn’t want to hear anything unless they really motivated me,” Guler writes.

In June, his father informed him of an offer from the Spanish powerhouse. “It was my fourth dream. It seemed unreal to me that this could happen so quickly,” he recalls.

“It seemed unreal to me that this could happen so quickly. That summer, my father and I had many long conversations about whether it was too soon to leave. The truth is, it was very complicated because we had so many offers, and I struggled to decide what to do.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s call

Arda Guler is greateful to Ancelotti. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The defining moment came when he had a video call with Carlo Ancelotti. Guler remembers the surreal feeling when Ancelotti’s name appeared on his screen.

“I’ll never forget when his number appeared on my screen and the video was loading… He was on vacation too.

“The moment was so surreal that I struggled to remember the details, but I think he was wearing one of those Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, and I think he even had a cigar,” Ancelotti reassured Guler, telling him that while the first year might be tough, opportunities would come in time.

He also famously asked Guler to promise that he would join Madrid. “Promise me you’ll come to Madrid. Promise, promise, promise,” he said. Guler’s response was unequivocal: “Of course, sir.”

From the start, Ancelotti played a paternal role in Guler’s life, offering guidance and jokes to help him settle into the club. Guler admits that he had trouble discerning when Ancelotti was serious, given his lighthearted nature.

“From the very beginning, Ancelotti became a kind of father to me,” he says. “But he was funny because he joked with me, mostly, and I was still a wide-eyed kid trying to come to terms with being at the biggest club in the world.”

Modric’s mentorship

Guler has nothing but respect for Modric. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the most meaningful moments in Guler’s early days at Madrid came from a gesture by Luka Modric, whom he describes as a mentor.

Modric, a player he looks up to immensely, made a huge impact on Guler when he turned to him during a free kick situation and said,

“When I arrived, I found out that Alaba and Rüdiger spoke some Turkish. They grew up with Turkish immigrants in Berlin and Vienna, and Alaba is a big Galatasaray fan. Courtois played with Arda Turan, so he also knows a few words.

“Well, swear words. But it was weird because, as you know, in Turkey we address our elders with respect. We say ‘Abi,’ which literally means ‘older brother.’ It’s established that way in our culture.

“I couldn’t just call Modric ‘Luka.’ He could be my father, you know. So I said, ‘Hello Luka Abi.’ Then… Alaba and Rüdiger thought ‘Abi’ was used for everyone.

“They started greeting me with, ‘Good morning, Abi.’ The name stuck with them, and now it’s too late to change. So now I’m officially ‘Arda Abi,’ the youngest older brother in the locker room.”

As far as Modric’s mentorship is concerned, he added, “Normally, you feel like you’ve ‘arrived’ at a club when you score a great goal or make a decisive pass.

“For me, that moment came precisely when there was a free kick in our favour, from outside the box, and I was on the bench. Modric turned to me and said, ‘Arda, this would be perfect for you.’ These little touches mean a lot.”

“Recently, in another game, at halftime, we were losing, and Modric said to me, ‘Get ready, you have to come on.’

“We’re talking about a legend. One of the greatest midfielders of all time, who now trusted me to turn the game around. I was deeply moved.”

Life at Real Madrid

Guler is establishing himself at Real Madrid. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

For Guler, playing at Real Madrid feels easy on the field thanks to the incredible talents around him. “You know Modric will see your run. Vinicius will make even a bad pass look good,” he writes.

However, off the pitch, the challenges are more personal. “The hard part is learning Spanish, adapting to the culture, and keeping your feet on the ground,” he confesses.

Having his family visit regularly has helped him stay grounded, with his mother reminding him to stay humble—“Mom still tells me to clean my room. She always says that if I weren’t a footballer, we’d have problems. Luckily, the fridge is full.”

Future at Real Madrid

Despite being limited to a bench role at times, Guler remains focused on his long-term goals. He acknowledges that he’s still just beginning his journey and has much more to achieve.

“I turned 20 at the beginning of this year. There are still many more dreams in my notebook,” he writes. His ultimate aspiration is to become a key player for Real Madrid, win the Champions League, and someday wear the coveted number 10 jersey.

“I want to become an important player for Real Madrid. I want to win that Champions League. I would also love to wear the number 10 for this club.”

Guler’s letter reveals the depth of his ambition, humility, and dedication as he navigates his dream career at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.

His journey is just beginning, and with mentors like Ancelotti and Modric by his side, his future at Real Madrid looks incredibly promising.