'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMvVIP8A/8QAIBAAAQIGAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFBxMiERUxQf/aAAgBAQABPwBmzzJqc292zgTLBrKrAhZORPxJ1gWVlV7N1jQ+c05mP//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEv/aAAgBAgEBPwC2P//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDAQE/AI//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fans were mesmerized by Arda Guler's performance as 'the Turkish Messi' bagged the winner in Real Madrid's 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad tonight (April 26).
Carlo Ancelotti's Los Blancos have one hand on the La Liga title after their win at Reale Arena. They'll be crowned champions if El Clasico rivals Barcelona lose to Valencia on Monday (April 29).
Guler grabbed the only goal of the game in the 29th minute and did so with aplomb. The Turkish wonderkid netted his second goal in Los Blancos colors and on his first La Liga start since arriving from Fenerbache last summer.
The exciting 19-year-old attacker found the bottom corner with an excellent finish after he met Dani Carvajal's cutback. It was a vital goal for Real Madrid as they moved a step closer to La Liga glory.
Guler was impressive throughout against Sociedad who were perhaps unfortunate to come away from tonight's game with nothing to show. The six-cap Turkiye international found his man with all three long ball attempts, won five of 10 ground duels, and completed two of three dribble attempts.
The former Fenerbache academy product may have staked his claim for a prominent role in Ancelotti's side. He earned major plaudits from fans on social media after his winning goal for Real Madrid.
One fan somewhat jumped the gun by boldly claiming that he is better than Barcelona legend Messi:
"Better than Messi."
Another fan tipped Guler for a bright future:
"Man this lad is the future."
One fan feels Los Blancos have unearthed a:
"Real gem."
Here's how other fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Guler's display:
"Awakening of the beast," one fan wrote.
"Arda Guler is a special player," another fan opined.
"Arda Guler hive stand up!!! Our boy is destined for greatness," one fan insisted.
Arda Guler's youth coach claimed the Real Madrid youngster has more potential than Lionel Messi
Guler's stock grew in the Turkish Super Lig where he was dubbed the Turkish Messi. He captivated fans with his silky skillset, bagging nine goals and 12 assists in 51 games across competitions.
Real Madrid's new starlet also played at youth level for Turkish outfit Genclerbirligi. He played under Erol Tokgozler who spoke about the teenage attacker's potential and compared him to Messi (via Managing Madrid):
"Messi has already achieved everything and Arda has to do that, he is still a child. But if we talk about potential purely, Arda has more potential than Messi. Although he still has a long way to go."
That is high praise given many regard the eight-time Ballon d'Or winning Barca icon as the greatest player in history. It speaks volumes of Guler's talent and why Madrid brought him to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer in a €20 million deal.
Guler has a long way to go replicating the Argentine icon's phenomenal career. He's a FIFA World Cup winner, Barca's all-time top scorer, and has won four UEFA Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles among a lengthy list of other honors. He's conjured up 730 goals and 349 games in 898 club games to date.
