A FaceTime with Carlo Ancelotti persuaded midfielder to choose Real Madrid over several top clubs
Arda Guler has revealed that a video call from Carlo Ancelotti was key to his decision to join Real Madrid ahead of other major European clubs.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined Los Blancos from Fenerbahçe in 2023, said the call came while he was on holiday that summer. Writing in The Players’ Tribune, Guler said: “Real Madrid. My fourth dream. I felt unreal that it could happen so quickly.
“That summer my dad and I had many long conversations about whether it was too early for me to go. It was actually really complicated, because we had so many other offers, and it was hard for me to decide what to do. But then I had a FaceTime call with Mr. Carlo Ancelotti.
“I’ll never forget when his number came up on my screen, and the video was loading. ‘Hello, Arda. How are you?’ He was on holiday, too.
“The moment was so surreal that I struggle to remember the details, but I think he was wearing one of those Hawaiian shirts, and sunglasses, and maybe he even had a cigar.
“He said: ‘Arda, you will have a big future here. Maybe not the first year, but you will get chances. When [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos are too old, we could play you in midfield.’
“Then he said: ‘Arda, promise me that you’ll come to Madrid. Promise, promise, promise.’ I said: ‘Of course, Mister.’”
Guler has made 39 appearances this season for Real Madrid, scoring five goals and providing eight assists. He scored in Madrid’s recent 3-2 win over Celta Vigo and also assisted Kylian Mbappe’s second goal. Ancelotti has recently reiterated his faith in the youngster, saying that he was going to be “a very important player” for Real Madrid’s future.
The midfielder is expected to be in the squad and in contention for a starting position in Sunday’s clásico against Barcelona at Montjuic. With Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points at the top of La Liga, the game is effectively a must-win to keep their title hopes alive.
