Real Madrid News
Confirmed: Arda Guler named Real Madrid’s Five-Star Player of the Month for September
One of the revelations of the season for Real Madrid since Jose Mourinho took over has been the breakthrough of Arda Guler.
The 21-year-old gem has been rewarded for his impressive start to the season. Real Madrid have confirmed that the Turkish international has been named the club’s Five-Star Player of the Month for September.
Madrid announced the award through their official social media channels, congratulating Guler after he was selected for the monthly prize sponsored by Mahou.
Guler’s growing importance under Mourinho
The recognition reflects just how important Guler has become in Mourinho’s new-look Real Madrid side.
The 21-year-old has increasingly emerged as one of Madrid’s main creative influences. His ability to receive between the lines, play the final pass and connect midfield with the attack gives Mourinho something different.
👏 ¡Enhorabuena, @10ArdaGuler!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 30, 2026
✨ Jugador Cinco Estrellas · Septiembre
⚽ @FutbolMahou pic.twitter.com/7t7OdFivCB
He has mostly been used as a right-winger allowed to drift in and connect with other players, while also being deployed as a No. 10.
Guler has also shown that his game is becoming less dependent on spectacular individual moments.
He is demanding the ball more frequently and taking greater responsibility for Madrid’s attacking rhythm.
If the arrival of Jose Mourinho has benefited anyone in Madrid, no one can make a stronger claim than Guler.
More than just a young talent
That development is particularly encouraging because Guler has spent much of his Madrid career haunted by the tag of “talent”.
That conversation is now changing. Rather than wondering when Guler will get enough minutes, he has forced his way into Mourinho’s best XI.
His performances for Turkey have reinforced that impression.
Even during the recent 4-1 defeat against Italy, Guler registered 100 touches, completed four dribbles and attempted four shots, all team-high figures, while completing 62 of his 70 passes.
A monthly individual award will not mean much compared with the trophies Madrid ultimately want to win, but it is another marker of Guler’s progress.
Mourinho has plenty of options in midfield and attack, but the 21-year-old’s advantage is that he has a unique skill set compared to the others in his team.
September has been a great month for Guler at Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen whether he can sustain this momentum in the coming months and beyond.
Real Madrid News
Ex-Real Madrid presidential candidate wanted to bring Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as manager
The presidential election at Real Madrid this summer was something unprecedented but despite the best efforts of Enrique Riquelme, he couldn’t do much to dethrone Florentino Perez.
That being said, some of Riquelme’s ideas have now become more relevant than ever, including his pitch to sign Jurgen Klopp as the new manager, instead of Jose Mourinho.
However, Riquelme wasn’t always in favour of Klopp and in fact, had initially pitched Mikel Arteta as the next manager for Real Madrid.
Riquelme had favoured Arteta
According to The Athletic, Riquelme had identified Arteta as a potential successor to then-coach Alvaro Arbeloa as part of his election campaign.
The context came amid Arteta’s own contract situation at Arsenal, with the Spaniard having just signed a new four-year deal following the club’s Premier League triumph.
The report notes that Real Madrid were the biggest club searching for a new coach at the time, and Riquelme saw Arteta as an appealing candidate.
Ultimately, though, Riquelme’s campaign shifted towards Klopp, while Perez, who won the election, opted to bring back Mourinho.
As a result, Arteta’s name never progressed beyond an early consideration, and the Spaniard remained fully committed to Arsenal, where he continues to build on his growing legacy.
Arteta has consistently dismissed interest from elsewhere, including links to Barcelona in 2024.
Mourinho has his work cut out
While Real Madrid ultimately chose Mourinho, the early signs suggest the Portuguese has a significant task on his hands.
Los Blancos have endured a stuttering start to the season, already sitting well behind runaway leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
Performances have been inconsistent, with the team lacking intensity and cohesion, and reports have even pointed to unrest within the dressing room.
That has inevitably led to questions over whether a different appointment, such as Arteta or Klopp, might have offered a smoother transition.
Arteta, in particular, has proven his credentials by ending Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title, doing so against a dominant Manchester City.
For now, Mourinho must find a way to turn things around and justify Perez’s faith. With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, including El Clasico, the pressure is already building.
