Arda Güler received the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough Player award for the 2025-26 season before Real Madrid’s opening league-phase match against Inter Milan on Tuesday, recognizing the Turkish midfielder’s emergence as an influential player on Europe’s biggest stage.
Güler was honored in a pregame ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid legend Luis Figo presented him with the trophy as the home crowd applauded the 21-year-old.
The award, also known as the Revelation of the Season honor, was introduced to recognize a young player who makes a significant jump in impact, consistency and maturity during the Champions League campaign. UEFA’s Technical Observer Group selected Güler for the honor after his expanded role during the 2025-26 season.
Güler’s recognition came despite his absence from Real Madrid’s squad for the Inter match. He was serving a suspension stemming from a red card he received after the final whistle of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich last season.
The midfielder was sent off after protesting the dismissal of teammate Eduardo Camavinga, leaving him ineligible for Real Madrid’s first league-phase fixture of the new campaign. He therefore received his award in civilian clothes rather than his Real Madrid match kit and watched the game from the stands.
Güler made a significant leap last season after seeing limited action in his first full Champions League campaign. He made 14 appearances, including 13 starts, and played 1,030 minutes, compared with 142 minutes and one start the previous season.
He scored twice in the competition, both coming in the second leg against Bayern. His opening goal came after just 34 seconds, setting a club record for the fastest Champions League goal by Real Madrid in that competition, according to the club.
Güler also contributed several assists during the campaign and earned Player of the Match honors for his composed midfield performance in Real Madrid’s league-phase victory over Juventus.
His progress was particularly notable because the Breakthrough Player award is reserved for players who meet UEFA’s age criteria and can win the honor only once. Previous Young Player of the Season winners are also ineligible.
Güler was not the only Real Madrid player recognized before kickoff.
Kylian Mbappe was presented with the Champions League top-scorer award after leading the competition with 15 goals in 11 appearances during the 2025-26 season. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane finished second with 14 goals.
Mbappe’s scoring run also helped him win the Spanish league’s Pichichi trophy as La Liga’s top scorer.
The individual honors came on a night when Real Madrid began another European campaign with expectations high despite their disappointing finish in the previous edition. Los Blancos were eliminated by Bayern in the quarterfinals last season, with Güler's suspension carrying over into the new campaign.
Real Madrid nevertheless opened the new league phase with a 2-1 victory over Inter.
Mbappe gave the hosts the lead in the 14th minute after taking advantage of an Inter defensive mistake, before Federico Valverde doubled the advantage before halftime following another error by the visitors.
Inter reduced the deficit late in the match through Carlos Augusto, but Real Madrid held on for three points.