Türkiye international Arda Güler has received UEFA’s Champions League Revelation of the Season award, recognising the Real Madrid midfielder as one of the outstanding breakthrough players of the 2025-26 campaign.
The 21-year-old was presented with the trophy at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, 8 September, ahead of Real Madrid’s opening Champions League match of the new season against Inter Milan.
Although Güler collected the award this week, UEFA had announced him as its winner at the end of May.
Güler enjoyed a major step forward in Europe last season, making 14 Champions League appearances, including 13 starts, compared with just one start the previous campaign. He played 1,030 minutes, scoring twice and registering four assists according to UEFA. Both goals came in Real Madrid’s quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
The talented Turkish playmaker was also named Player of the Match against Juventus following an influential display in Real Madrid’s league-phase victory, with UEFA highlighting the control and creativity he brought to the Spanish giants’ midfield.
UEFA introduced the Revelation of the Season accolade to replace its previous Young Player of the Season award. It is aimed specifically at players aged 21 or under who make exceptional progress and establish themselves during a Champions League campaign.
Ankara-born Güler, who joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahçe in 2023, has steadily grown in importance for both club and country and is regarded as one of the brightest talents of his generation.
Watch Arda's highlights here.
