He first crossed paths with a boy who would become a legend while the boy was still in school. The ball felt like an extra limb, a third foot that let him do exactly what he imagined. Those early days at Genclerbirligi shaped a talent yet to be proven on bigger stages, and a coach who would later see him blossom into one of the sport’s most talked-about young players insisted the youngster carried a rare spark. That spark would go on to land him a contract with Fenerbahçe and, eventually, a move to one of Europe’s giants. This is the story of a prodigy who impressed from his earliest steps on the field and whose potential was described by those who knew him best as unlike anything they had witnessed before. — Goal
In a candid recounting, the coach explained how he first encountered Arda Güler when the future Madrid player was just thirteen years old and still balancing school with football. He served as a physical education teacher at Genclerbirligi and also acted as a mentor and coach to the youngster. A teammate, who observed the early signs of unusual talent, had already warned that Arda carried something special. The coach’s memories of that period illuminate a path from a schoolyard dream to a professional ascent, highlighting the unwavering belief shared among those closest to him. — Goal
‘He has more potential than Messi’
As observers compared him to established stars such as Mesut Ozil or Lionel Messi in those formative years, the coach offered a measured perspective. He acknowledged Messi as the greatest he had ever seen and noted that Arda was still very young, with much to prove. Yet when it came to pure potential, he believed Arda surpassed Messi. He cautioned that the journey would be long and that Arda needed hundreds of games to realize the player he could become. Still, the assessment was clear: Arda possessed a ceiling higher than Messi’s, even as the path to reaching it remained in front of him. — Goal
Asked which Real Madrid player bore the closest resemblance to his former trainee, the coach drew a comparison to Luka Modric. The style suggested a player who favors ball movement, constant forward thinking, and a drive to press vertically. According to the coach, Arda’s primary weapon is the ball itself. He plays with a forward mentality, his passes aimed at goal, and his movements always angled toward creating opportunities. This perspective underscored the unique approach of a young footballer who seemed to think several steps ahead. — Goal
Reflecting on Arda’s early influence on the pitch, the coach described a striking memory: the ball felt like another limb, a constant companion that enabled him to execute a multitude of plans in any given moment. In every scenario, Arda demonstrated multiple alternatives, whether one plan failed or a different avenue opened up. It was a glimpse into a footballing mind that could adapt on the fly, imagining several solutions before defenders even realized they needed to react. The coach insisted that this sense of improvisation, more than any single attribute, set Arda apart at a young age. The boy didn’t merely play; he orchestrated the game in his head, challenging defenders to anticipate how they might stop him. — Goal
In those early days, the game was a language Arda learned to speak fluently. His ability to read spaces, to anticipate where a ball would travel, and to execute quickly became evident. The impression left by his rapid thinking and his vertical, forward-looking passes suggested a player who could influence matches long before maturity arrived. The mentor’s observations reinforce the notion that Arda’s talent was not just about technical skill but a holistic readiness to excel at higher levels. His development, as described by those who watched him closely, was a steady arc from local youth leagues to the international stage, a trajectory marked by evolving decision-making and a growing capacity to convert potential into real, tangible impact on the field. — Goal
These remarks together sketch a portrait of a player once seen as a prodigy, now recognized as a rising star in world football. The story highlights the blend of early promise, disciplined training, and an instinctive grasp of how to manipulate space and tempo. While the journey from youth leagues to elite football is never guaranteed, the testimonies from those who guided Arda along the way provide a compelling narrative of unique talent and a mindset that many believed would translate into sustained success at the highest levels. — Goal