Concerns Over Arda Guler’s Treatment at Real Madrid: Allegations of Internal Strife

omidbasir- Serhat Pekmezci, the former head of scouting at Fenerbahçe who is credited with discovering Arda Guler, has made alarming allegations about the treatment of the 20-year-old in Madrid. In an interview with Sports Digitale, Pekmezci suggested that Guler is being systematically isolated within the team.

“Arda Guler is being subjected to mobbing,” Pekmezci stated, referencing a term commonly associated with workplace bullying and harassment in Europe. He clarified that, while Guler has not directly approached him with complaints, the circumstances were foreseeable given the challenging environment at the European champions. “It’s not that he complained to me, but he knew this would happen. I advised him to be patient.”

The allegations raise serious concerns about internal discord at Real Madrid. Since joining the club in 2023, Guler has found it difficult to secure a regular starting position, a challenge often attributed to injuries and competition for places. However, Pekmezci insists the issue is far more personal, claiming that a specific faction within the squad is actively undermining the young player.

According to Pekmezci, Guler’s stagnation cannot be attributed to a lack of talent, but rather to a refusal by established players to welcome him into the team. The transition from the era dominated by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric was expected to facilitate Guler’s rise, yet Pekmezci argues he has been obstructed by senior teammates.

“The harassment came from the players. There is a group that has not accepted Arda; unfortunately, they are individuals with very high egos,” he claimed.

Despite his evident technical skill, Guler often finds himself sidelined during matches, receiving the ball less frequently than his positioning would warrant. He had a promising start to the season, scoring three goals in the initial months. Although his goal tally has diminished, he continues to contribute with assists, having set up seven goals in La Liga and four in the Champions League.

Perhaps most troubling for Madrid supporters, Pekmezci believes this player-power dynamic contributed to the club’s recent managerial changes. Xabi Alonso, who took over after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure but was let go in January, reportedly struggled to manage these internal disputes.

“That’s why Xabi Alonso left too,” Pekmezci asserted, suggesting that the same “egos” targeting Guler were also a factor in Alonso’s exit.

Since then, the reins have been handed to Alvaro Arbeloa, yet the situation appears to have improved little. Arbeloa, tasked with stabilizing the team, seems to continue the trend of sidelining the playmaker. Tensions escalated during a recent Champions League defeat to Benfica when Guler was substituted; he was seen on camera visibly frustrated, muttering to himself as he exited the pitch.

Guler has long been praised for his temperament, but even his composure is being tested. “I told him: ‘Be patient.’ Arda is very patient and self-aware, but even he has begun to show signs of rebellion,” Pekmezci noted.

The 20-year-old now stands at a critical juncture in his career. What was once a “dream move” is turning into a potential nightmare, with the upcoming summer transfer window looming large. If the alleged “mobbing” continues and the disruptive “egos” in the dressing room remain unchecked, Real Madrid risks losing a generational talent who feels he has not been afforded a fair opportunity to excel.

For the moment, Guler finds himself caught in a troubling cycle, awaiting a breakthrough under Arbeloa that his former mentor fears may never come as long as the current team dynamics persist.