Not Mbappé or Vinicius: UEFA Names Arda Güler Real Madrid’s Standout Player
It wasn’t Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius Júnior—instead, UEFA has singled out Arda Güler as Real Madrid’s most impressive performer in this season’s Champions League.
Despite an underwhelming campaign overall, the young Turkish midfielder has been recognized as the Breakthrough Player of the Season (2025/26) by UEFA. The decision was made by the organization’s technical observers and reflects Güler’s impact in Europe’s top competition.
A Bright Spot in a Difficult Season
Real Madrid’s season fell short of expectations. They were knocked out early in the Copa del Rey by Albacete, finished eight points behind champions Barcelona in La Liga, and saw their Champions League run end in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.
Yet, amid those disappointments, Güler emerged as a rare positive. In fact, he came closer than anyone to dragging Madrid into the semi-finals.
Numbers That Back It Up
Güler’s performances in Europe were outstanding:
- 14 appearances (13 as a starter)
- 2 goals in the dramatic second leg vs Bayern Munich (4–3)
- 3 assists
- Man of the Match vs Juventus in the group stage
His growth is even more striking when compared to last season. In 2024/25, he started just once in the Champions League and played only 142 minutes. This year, he surpassed 1,000 minutes (1,030), becoming a key figure in the squad.
A New Type of Award
UEFA introduced this new “Breakthrough Player” award to replace the old Young Player of the Season prize. The goal is to recognize players who make a significant leap during a single campaign—not just those already established as global stars.
To be eligible, players must be under 21 at the start of the season and can only win the award once. Previous winners of the older version—like Vinícius (2022) and Jude Bellingham (2024)—are not eligible.
The Only Madrid Player Recognized
Güler was the only Real Madrid player to receive an individual UEFA award this season. Meanwhile, Mbappé finished as the Champions League top scorer with 15 goals.
The overall Player of the Tournament award went to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who led Paris Saint-Germain to the title after a tense final against Arsenal, decided on penalties (1–1, 4–3).
Team of the Tournament Highlights
UEFA’s Team of the Season featured standout names across Europe, including:
- David Raya
- Marcos Llorente
- Marquinhos
- Nuno Mendes
- Declan Rice
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Harry Kane
In a season where Real Madrid struggled to meet expectations, Arda Güler’s rise stands out as a glimpse into the club’s future—and perhaps the beginning of a new star at the Bernabéu.
