Yildiz Gets Emotional: “It’s a Dream to Play at the Bernabéu”

The young star’s words reflect the enduring magic of Real Madrid’s stadium.

This Wednesday, Real Madrid host Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu in the third round of the Champions League group stage — a matchup filled with intrigue, not least because of one man: Kenan Yildiz. The Juventus prodigy has drawn attention with his heartfelt comments ahead of the clash.

Yildiz admitted he is excited to play at the Bernabéu for the first time.

“Every kid dreams of playing in that stadium,” he said, acknowledging that Wednesday’s match will be especially meaningful for him — not only because of the history surrounding Real Madrid’s home, but also for more personal reasons.

“I think it’s one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, and being able to play there now is like a dream come true,” he added in an interview with UEFA’s official media channels.

His words perfectly capture the respect he holds for Real Madrid and for the Bernabéu, a venue he described as one of world football’s true temples — even though he has never played in Spain nor represented Los Blancos.

A special duel within the match

This encounter will be doubly special for Yildiz. Madrid and Juventus already met last summer in the Club World Cup, where Los Blancos came out on top. That match also had a personal touch for Yildiz, as he faced his close friend and compatriot Arda Güler — something that will happen again this Wednesday in Madrid.

Both players are seen as the future of Turkish football, already starring for their clubs and carrying the hopes of their national team. Güler, in particular, is thriving under Xabi Alonso, who has given him greater responsibility and more minutes this season.

The reunion between Yildiz and Güler is one of the most anticipated storylines of the match. Friendship will be put aside for 90 minutes, though fans can surely expect a warm exchange and a photo together once the final whistle blows.

Madrid’s past interest that faded away

This isn’t the first time Yildiz’s name has been linked with Real Madrid — and not just because of recent meetings between the two clubs. When he first broke through at Juventus, Madrid scouts reportedly placed him on their radar, seeing him as a potential long-term successor to Karim Benzema.

However, that interest gradually faded. The arrivals of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, combined with the emergence of Gonzalo, have completed Madrid’s attacking project. Still, Yildiz remains highly regarded — and on Wednesday night, Los Blancos will have to deal with his talent firsthand in their crucial Champions League group clash.