Kylian Mbappe should be given 'free rein' at Real Madrid as Arda Guler endorses comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo & Mesut Ozil amid budding partnership with French forward

The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid has been off to a positive start. Hired at the end of last season, Madrid made it to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in the summer. The 2025-26 season began with six wins from the opening six La Liga games, despite Alonso and his players not having the luxury of a full pre-season. They have won nine games out of 10 across all competitions, the only loss coming at the hands of their neighbouring rivals Atletico Madrid.

Guler has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Alonso's arrival. The Turkish wonderkid has nailed his place in midfield, where he has played both as a deep-lying playmaker and as an advanced No. 8 operating closer to the opponents' box. He has already racked up three goals and four assists, while also leading several statistical charts in the league. No other player in Spain's top-flight has created more chances than Guler's 22.

One of the biggest factors behind Los Blancos' impressive start to the season is the connection shared between Mbappe and Guler. The duo have drawn comparisons to the partnership shared by Ozil and Ronaldo between 2010 and 2013, with the ex-German international laying 31 assists for the club's all-time top scorer in 149 games played together.

Mbappe has been on a tear, scoring 14 goals in 10 games. It's no surprise that all of Guler's four assists have come for Mbappe. 

Speaking to L'Equipe, Guler praised Mbappe. He said: "Some say he drops back too much into midfield, but I think we should let him play wherever he wants. His talent should be given free rein. If he moves into midfield and drops back a little, it’s not for nothing. He has the knowledge to do that, he understands the demands of the game."

He also explained why they connect so well with each other on the field. “His qualities and mine are in harmony," he said. “We understand each other well, the relationship is smooth. Sometimes we talk before the game and say, ‘Today, we have to do this or that.’ And sometimes, a glance is enough.

“I like the comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil and Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler. They’ve achieved great things, but significant success is always achieved by a team, never just two players."

Having nailed his place in the starting XI, Guler has his eyes set on winning more titles with Real Madrid. After playing no part in the club's Champions League glory in 2023-24, and experiencing a horrible 2024-25 season, Guler is determined to help the club return to lifting more silverware. 

“Winning the Champions League once? What we’ve achieved doesn’t count for me, we have to go for another title," said the 20-year-old.