UEFA names Madrid’s Güler 2025/26 Champions League revelation

Real Madrid's young Turkish talent, Arda Güler, has earned the prestigious 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Revelation of the Season award. This new accolade replaces the previous Young Player of the Season award and highlights players who have made a significant breakthrough during the competition based on their progression and impact.

Güler, 21, experienced a dramatic increase in playing time and influence this past season compared to his limited involvement the previous year. He featured in 14 matches, starting 13, and accumulated 1,030 minutes on the field, a stark contrast to his seven appearances totaling just 142 minutes in the prior campaign. His performances included scoring his first two Champions League goals in Real Madrid's quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, alongside providing four assists throughout the tournament.

UEFA's selection criteria focus on individual skill, measurable impact on team performance, and overall development and consistency. Eligible players must be 21 or younger at the start of the season and can only win the award once. Güler's impressive statistics, including covering 126.12 kilometers and reaching a top speed of 32.12 km/h, further underscore his dynamic contribution. He follows in the footsteps of previous notable recipients of the Young Player of the Season award, such as Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

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The Turkish international ended the campaign with four assists together with his first two goals in the Champions League, which both came in Madrid’s quarter-final second leg at Bayern.