Cristiano Ronaldo’s Eight-Word Comment on Arda Güler Shocks Real Madrid President Perez
In a surprising moment that has stirred the football world, Cristiano Ronaldo made a brief but powerful comment about Arda Güler receiving Real Madrid’s captain’s armband—a decision that reportedly caught club president Florentino Perez off guard.
The moment came as Real Madrid, facing a transition with veteran players like Dani Carvajal nearing the end of their contracts, looks to younger talents for leadership. Arda Güler, a 20-year-old Turkish midfielder signed from Fenerbahçe in 2023, has emerged as a promising figure. Despite limited game time due to injuries and squad competition, Güler’s performances late in the 2023–24 season and in Euro 2024 impressed club leaders.
The move to consider Güler as a future captain is bold, given that captaincy at Real Madrid traditionally goes to seasoned players. Other candidates like Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr., and Thibaut Courtois were also in discussion. Still, insiders revealed that talks were ongoing for Güler to wear the armband in select 2025–26 matches—a symbolic sign of his growing importance.
Then came Ronaldo’s striking comment: “Güler captain? This is a fearless choice!” While some saw it as praise, others questioned whether Güler was ready for such responsibility, especially without being a consistent starter. Ronaldo, now with Al-Nassr, still closely follows Real Madrid and often supports young talent like Vinicius Jr., which makes his remark even more impactful.
Perez, who values careful control over club announcements, was reportedly surprised—not because he disagreed, but because the internal decision had been made quietly and wasn’t meant to go public yet. Still, he remains confident in Güler, viewing him as a future star capable of carrying the club forward.
Güler, unfazed by the attention, reaffirmed his commitment to Real Madrid and turned down loan offers to fight for his spot. His family echoed his ambition, quoting him as saying, “I will be number one.” His performance against Celta Vigo and a key goal assisted by Kylian Mbappé further boosted his status.
Ultimately, Ronaldo’s words intensified the spotlight on Güler and underscored the high expectations placed on him. Whether or not he becomes a full-time captain soon, one thing is clear: Güler is being groomed to be a central figure in Real Madrid’s future.
