Despite delivering an impressive assist, prodigy Arda Guler couldn't hide his anger and shouted at the coaching staff when coach Arbeloa substituted him early.
The atmosphere at Real Madrid has become more tense than ever after a 2-4 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League. However, the main focus is not just the match score or their 9th place in the standings, but the intense reaction from young talent Arda Guler directed at interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
On a day when Real Madrid’s attack was ineffective, Guler was a rare bright spot. The Turkish midfielder played energetically, constantly disrupting the opposition defense and directly contributing a classy assist.
However, at the 79th minute while Real was pushing for an equalizer, coach Arbeloa made a shocking decision: he substituted Guler for Brahim Diaz.
Immediately, the "gem" of Turkish football lost his composure. Guler stood still on the pitch, disbelief written all over his face. His disappointment quickly turned into fury. Approaching the sideline, in front of thousands at Estadio da Luz, Guler shouted loudly in English: "Always me! Always me!" (Always me! Always me!).
This frustrated outburst was like a "cold shower" for Real Madrid’s coaching staff. It showed this was not just an impulsive reaction during a game but the buildup of injustices Guler has endured over time.
The player seems to feel he is always the first to be sacrificed in tactical plans, regardless of how well he is performing or how much he contributes to the overall play.
After leaving the field, Guler refused to look at coach Arbeloa. He walked to the technical area with a sulky attitude, an unhappy expression, and kept muttering angry words. This attitude clearly highlights the strained relationship between the young star and the former Spanish legend.
This incident puts Real Madrid in a difficult position. Arbeloa, already under heavy pressure after a poor run of results, now faces the challenge of managing the locker room as young stars begin to openly rebel.
If the "spark" named Arda Guler is not managed soon, Real Madrid risks not only a performance crisis but also losing one of the club’s most promising talents to other European giants.