Arda Güler shines against Celta, Carlo Ancelotti confesses: “Two months ago, I criticized…”

Following Real Madrid’s thrilling 3-2 win over Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu, Carlo Ancelotti took the opportunity in the post-match press conference to address the growing sensation around Arda Güler. The young Turkish playmaker put on yet another dazzling performance, leaving fans and pundits in awe — and even prompting a heartfelt confession from his coach.

For several weeks now, Arda Güler’s name has been on the lips of every Madridista. After an impressive cameo against Getafe a few matches back, Güler stole the spotlight in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, where his spark helped Real Madrid lift the trophy on April 26. That display earned him a starting spot against Celta Vigo in Matchday 34 of La Liga — and once again, the Turkish prodigy did not disappoint.

Opening the scoring with a sublime finish and later assisting Kylian Mbappé for Madrid’s second goal, Güler played with a maturity far beyond his 20 years. His technical brilliance, decision-making, and calm under pressure earned him a standing ovation as he left the pitch. But it was Ancelotti’s words afterward that truly captured how far the young midfielder has come.

“Two months ago, I criticized his entourage,” Ancelotti confessed. “Now, I can only congratulate them for the excellent work they’ve done with him.” It was a stunning admission from the 65-year-old manager, who had come under scrutiny earlier in the season for sidelining Güler for long stretches between January and March.

At the time, many believed the Italian coach had lost faith in Güler. But Ancelotti offered context: “Arda is in a much better place now. At the beginning of the season, there was too much pressure on him. It was overwhelming for a player his age. Now, he’s handling things better. He’s more confident, and when he makes mistakes, he doesn’t take them too hard. That’s important.”

Ancelotti revealed that he once questioned Güler’s management team, believing they may have rushed the player’s development or applied unnecessary pressure. However, the coach acknowledged that their patient approach and continued belief have paid off immensely. “I stand corrected,” he said. “They’ve done a remarkable job.”

Pressed further on Güler’s resurgence, Ancelotti defended his initial decisions: “As a coach, I have to manage the team as a whole. Sometimes, that affects individual players — but at a club like Real Madrid, that’s part of the process. I’ve said it before: you have to taste the bench before you can earn a starting spot here. Arda has done just that, and he’s grown a lot through it.”

His words seemed to reflect both pride and relief. Ancelotti admitted that benching Güler wasn’t easy, but ultimately necessary for his long-term development. “You need to be challenged,” he added. “You need to prove you deserve to be in that eleven every week. He’s done that now.”

The coach, who is widely expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, continued to praise Güler’s evolution. “This is what happens when a talented player puts in the work. The Arda we saw in September is not the same Arda we see now. He’s transformed his physique while preserving his technical gifts — and that’s exactly what we want.”

As for what comes next, Ancelotti did not shy away from hinting at another start for Güler in the high-stakes Clásico rematch next weekend. “Can he start against Barcelona? Certainly. He’s now a real candidate for the starting eleven. There’s no question about it.”

It’s a remarkable turnaround in a matter of months — from warming the bench to becoming one of the most influential players in the team. Güler’s journey is a testament to resilience, humility, and sheer determination. “He kept working,” Ancelotti emphasized. “And now he’s reaping the rewards.”

Beyond the goals and assists, Güler’s statistics against Celta Vigo were nothing short of astonishing. In 82 minutes, he completed all 62 of his passes — a 100% success rate. He also delivered two accurate long balls, created three chances (the most in the match), and won two duels. These are numbers you’d expect from a seasoned veteran, not a 20-year-old still finding his feet at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Social media lit up with highlights of his performance, including one tweet that simply read: “Cómo no te voy a querer…” — a phrase that translates to “How could I not love you?” accompanied by a clip of Güler’s goal. It perfectly summed up the emotional connection the young midfielder is rapidly building with the Madrid faithful.

There’s still plenty of football left to be played this season, and Ancelotti knows how vital Güler could be in the final stretch. With crucial La Liga and Champions League matches on the horizon, the Turkish star could become Madrid’s X-factor — the unexpected hero rising at just the right time.

For now, Madridistas are simply enjoying the ride. In a season filled with challenges and changes, Arda Güler’s emergence has brought joy, hope, and a glimpse into a very bright future.

And for Carlo Ancelotti, it’s a story of humility — a reminder that even seasoned legends can learn, adapt, and admit when they were wrong.

As the final whistle nears on this campaign, one thing is clear: Arda Güler is no longer just a promising talent. He’s a game-changer. And Real Madrid are reaping the benefits of believing in their diamond from Turkey.