Arda Güler received the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough Player award for the 2025-26 season before Real Madrid’s opening league-phase match against Inter Milan on Tuesday, recognizing the Turkish midfielder’s emergence as an influential player on Europe’s biggest stage.
Güler was honored in a pregame ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid legend Luis Figo presented him with the trophy as the home crowd applauded the 21-year-old.
The award, also known as the Revelation of the Season honor, was introduced to recognize a young player who makes a significant jump in impact, consistency and maturity during the Champions League campaign. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group selected Güler for the honor after his expanded role during the 2025-26 season.
Güler’s recognition came despite his absence from Real Madrid’s squad for the Inter match. He was serving a suspension stemming from a red card he received after the final whistle of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich last season.
The midfielder was sent off after protesting the dismissal of teammate Eduardo Camavinga, leaving him ineligible for Real Madrid’s first league-phase fixture of the new campaign. He therefore received his award in civilian clothes rather than his Real Madrid match kit and watched the game from the stands.
