'Maybe he even had a cigar!' - Arda Guler reveals the 'surreal' video call with Carlo Ancelotti that convinced Turkey star to join Real Madrid from Fenerbahce

Young Madrid star Guler revealed that a video call with Ancelotti convinced him to join the Spanish giants ahead of a number of prestigious European clubs.

Guler broke through at Fenerbahce, catching the eye with his dazzling dribbling and impressive shooting, and signed for Madrid in 2023. The 20-year-old was slowly bedded into the first-team squad during his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu but has been more involved this term, contributing five goals and eight assists in 39 appearances in 2024-25 so far.

In an article for the Players' Tribune, Guler said: "Real Madrid. My fourth dream. I felt unreal that it could happen so quickly. That summer my dad and I had many long conversations about whether it was too early for me to go. It was actually really complicated, because we had so many other offers, and it was hard for me to decide what to do. But then I had a FaceTime call with Mr. Carlo Ancelotti.

"I'll never forget when his number came up on my screen, and the video was loading. 'Hello, Arda. How are you?' He was on holiday, too. The moment was so surreal that I struggle to remember the details, but I think he was wearing one of those Hawaiian shirts, and sunglasses, and maybe he even had a cigar.

"He said: 'Arda, you will have a big future here. Maybe not the first year, but you will get chances. When [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos are too old, we could play you in midfield.'

"Just hearing your name next to Modric and Kroos is surreal. I couldn't speak.

"Then he said: 'Arda, promise me that you’ll come to Madrid. Promise, promise, promise.'

"I said: 'Of course, Mister.'"

Guler started Madrid's last La Liga fixture, scoring in the 33rd minute of a 3-2 win over Celta Vigo. He also supplied the assist for Kylian Mbappe's second goal which proved to be the winner.

Having been knocked out of the Champions League and finished runners-up in both the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana, Madrid simply have to beat Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday to keep their slim hopes of winning La Liga alive.