"He has talent": Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella praises Arda Guler
Vancouver, June 11
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Australia, Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella lauded one of his key players, Arda Guler, for his exceptional skills and game intelligence.
Montella said, as quoted by Reuters, "He has talent, intuition, reading of the game; he knows when to slow down, when to go vertical, and he knows how to score. He has an innocent face, but he is very clever."
Guler is set to spearhead a determined Turkey team as they return to the World Cup finals for the first time in over 20 years, facing an energetic Australia in their Group D opener at Vancouver's BC Place on Saturday.
Although Turkey have delivered strong performances in recent European Championships, they have not featured in a World Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 2002. Born long after that campaign, 21-year-old Guler now carries the attacking ambitions of his football-passionate nation.
The Turkey head coach further praised the star midfielder's performance under pressure, adding, "He has talent, plays at a high level, and handles a lot of pressure."
Although Guler may be capable of handling the responsibility, concerns remain over his fitness following a hamstring injury sustained late in the club season with Real Madrid, which forced him to miss the season's final matches, Reuters reported.
His recent appearances against North Macedonia and Venezuela eased some of those concerns, but Guler faces a challenging task as Turkey takes on an Australian side that reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina.
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbahce A.S.), Ugurcan Çakir (Galatasaray A.S.)
Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Galatasaray A.S.), Çaglar Soyuncu (Fenerbahce A.S.), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray A.S.), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton & Hove Albion), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli), Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce A.S.), Ozan Kabak (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Çaykur Rizespor A.S.), Zeki Çelik (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoglu (Internazionale), Ismail Yuksek (Fenerbahce A.S.), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray A.S.), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas A.S.), Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund)
Forwards: Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray A.S.), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gul (FC Porto), Irfan Can Kahveci (Kasimpasa A.S.), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce A.S.), Oguz Aydin (Fenerbahce A.S.), Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray A.S.).
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an Indian football fan, I watch Turkish league matches occasionally. Guler is genuinely special - his reading of the game is world-class. But 21 years old leading a nation's hopes after 20 years? That's massive pressure. Australia is no pushover, especially after their 2022 performance. Let's see how he handles it.
"Innocent face but very clever" - that's such a Turkish compliment! 😂 Reminds me of how our Indian coaches talk about young talents. That 2002 semi-final team was legendary - Hakan Şükür, İlhan Mansız... now they have Guler who plays for Real Madrid. Full respect, but Australia's physical game might trouble them. Exciting match ahead!
From an Australian perspective, we're well aware of Guler's threat. But our team has grown so much since 2022 - beating Denmark, holding France, pushing Argentina. Turkey have great individual talent like Çalhanoglu and Guler, but Australia's collective spirit is something else. Should be a cracking Group D opener! 🇦🇺
That quote from Montella is beautiful - "he knows when to slow down, when to go vertical" - pure football poetry. Guler at 21 carrying the hopes of a nation... Turkey missed the World Cup for 20 years, and now they have a Real Madrid star. Meanwhile in India we're still waiting for our first World Cup appearance. Someday, maybe. 🏆
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. Guler is talented yes, but coming back from a hamstring injury and straight
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