By Senior Contributor Tom Sanderson
A Real Madrid star now flourishing under Xabi Alonso took what has been perceived as a dig at former … More boss Carlo Ancelotti.
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A Real Madrid star now flourishing under Xabi Alonso took what has been perceived as a dig at former boss Carlo Ancelotti by indicating that he is happier in life with the Italian鈥檚 successor.
Arda Guler famously snubbed Los Blancos鈥 bitter rival FC Barcelona to join Madrid from Los Blancos in 2023.
Though he has already picked up winners medals in the Champions League and La Liga among other competitions, the young Turk had difficulty finding regular minutes on a packed front line.
In Guler鈥檚 maiden campaign, Ancelotti went with wingers Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo as a front two. Then when Kylian Mbappe arrived on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, in 2024/2025, it was often a front three containing the Brazilians and the Frenchman as a central number 9.
Towards the end of the season, Ancelotti appeared to show more trust in Guler by putting him on the right side of the trident as Rodrygo was frozen out for key matches such as the Spanish top flight title-deciding episode of El Clasico won 4-3 by the Catalans in Montjuic.
He also never hesitated to praise the 20-year-old in public, and tipped him for great things in May.
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“Arda G眉ler has made tremendous progress. He鈥檚 showing his quality and gaining consistency. I believe he can become an exceptional midfielder, because there are very few at his level. He will be very important for the future of Real Madrid,” Ancelotti predicted.
Since then, however, the UCL鈥檚 most successful coach of all time has taken the Brazil national team manager鈥檚 post while Alonso now mans the dugout at the Club World Cup.
It is there that Guler has enjoyed increased prominence, which has made the youngster happier in a more central 鈥10鈥 role, as he has already stated in public.
鈥淵es, of course,鈥 Guler answered when asked to confirm whether he is more content. 鈥淚 like to play in the center more, and I鈥檓 enjoying it a lot, I hope it continues like this.鈥
Guler confirmed that Alonso likes him 鈥渢o play as a 鈥10鈥欌 to 鈥渓ead and improve the team鈥.
鈥淔or me the scheme doesn鈥檛 change much, whether it鈥檚 with two or three strikers. I like to be behind, to get into the game, I enjoy it in any way,鈥 Guler also commented, while expecting a 鈥渄ifficult match鈥 against Dortmund because 鈥渢hey have good players鈥.
Having said this, Guler is 鈥渟ure that they can win鈥 the quarterfinal tie against the German and set up a last four showdown with either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
Despite Guler鈥檚 new role, Rodrygo鈥檚 Real Madrid future remains uncertain
Despite Guler being in a more central midfield role, Rodrygo鈥檚 future at Real Madrid remains uncertain. The Santos academy graduate is on the outside looking in from the bench, and remains linked with a move to the Premier League.
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