Arda Guler starts for Real Madrid against Real Betis in La Liga

Arda Guler is in the starting lineup for Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Real Betis on September 4, 2026, marking another step forward for one of European football’s most exciting young midfielders. The 21-year-old Turkish international will line up alongside Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde in what is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing midfield trios in the division. From substitute cameos to fixture Guler’s journey at Real Madrid has been anything but linear. He arrived from Fenerbahce in 2023 for a fee estimated between €20 million and €26 million, and the early months felt more like a holding pattern than a breakthrough. Those questions have been answered over the past two seasons. Guler now has 74 La Liga appearances for Madrid to his name, with 14 goals across that stretch. The 2025-26 season was where things clicked. He earned consistent starts, recorded a memorable 68-meter goal against Elche, and was named the La Liga U23 Player of the Month for September 2025. His relationship with this particular opponent has already produced a highlight. Back in January 2026, Guler came off the bench against Betis and assisted a goal shortly after entering the pitch,...