Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke about the process young players must go through to become regulars in the team, citing examples of Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo.
For a young player, securing a spot in the starting lineup at Real Madrid isn’t easy. They must go through a process to earn their place. Vinícius, Valverde, and Rodrygo have all risen through the ranks in this way. Ancelotti emphasized that young talents like Arda Güler must follow the same path to establish themselves in the team.
Reports suggest that 20-year-old Turkish attacking midfielder Güler is unhappy with his role as a substitute at Real Madrid. He has yet to feature in any of the club’s last five matches across all competitions.
In the lead-up to the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, Ancelotti shared his thoughts on young players at a press conference.
“If anyone has any doubts, they can come to my office. My door is always open. I’ve heard about the so-called ‘Güler issue,’ but this hasn’t come to my attention from within the club. There’s a process for young players here,” said Ancelotti.
“Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde went through the same thing… and look where they are now. When someone joins one of the world’s best squads, it takes time. Everyone understands that. And those who don’t should also understand it.”
Rodrygo, Vinícius, and Valverde, who joined at the age of 18, spent their initial seasons as substitutes but regularly played for the reserve squad. Valverde, after spending a season on loan at Deportivo La Coruña, played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League wins in 2022 and 2024.
Currently, Real Madrid is second in La Liga, tied on points with Barcelona but trailing on head-to-head. They have secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages. Despite Güler not playing much, Ancelotti sees no issues with him in training.
“I see these players every day, and I often see Güler happy. And that’s normal, because I don’t want to see a player who isn’t getting opportunities feeling happy. I see a player working hard, learning, and wanting to play. But that’s my perspective in the short time I spend with him. He spends much more time with others. I don’t know if they share the same opinion as me. He needs to improve and work hard to play for Real Madrid… If that’s the case, it’s just a communication gap.”
Ancelotti also drew comparisons to Kylian Mbappé, one of the world’s best players, who has maintained a humble attitude despite his fame.
“You’ve seen Kylian Mbappé, who came in with a humble mindset and remains very grounded. He hasn’t changed one bit in terms of arrogance. The veterans are leading by example, and gradually, the young players are stepping up to take on more important roles.”
