Arda Guler’s rise forces Belgium to rethink Turkey threat, says De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne described Arda Guler as an “exceptional talent” after Belgium’s victory over Turkey, but said the national team must ensure the Real Madrid midfielder is not left to carry its ambitions alone.

De Bruyne played a key role in Belgium’s win and praised Guler’s quality after the match. However, he also suggested Turkey could benefit from giving more players greater responsibility, easing the pressure placed on the young midfielder.

“I think Arda is doing his very best for Turkey,” De Bruyne said in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo. “I don’t think it is easy for him because many people are only looking at him, but Turkey are a good team. Perhaps it would be better if other players took more risks and responsibility.”

Guler has become Turkey’s leading attacking figure despite being at the early stages of his professional career. Supporters increasingly look to him to provide solutions in every match, creating a significant burden for a player still developing at the highest level.

De Bruyne, who is currently a Napoli player, acknowledged that Belgium had paid particular attention to Guler during their preparations and devised a plan to limit his influence.

“Everyone knows that he has to be watched,” he said. “We tried to focus on him more and transfer the responsibility to other players.”

The comments underline how quickly Guler’s status has changed. He is no longer viewed only as a promising Real Madrid player; opponents are now building parts of their plans around stopping him and assigning specific players to monitor his movement.

De Bruyne also backed the young midfielder to enjoy a significant future.

“He is an exceptional talent, plays for one of the best clubs in the world and is still young, so he will continue to shine,” he said. “The other clubs should pay close attention to his performances.”

Guler has made notable progress with Real Madrid this season, receiving more playing time and showing his ability to influence matches through decisive passing and accurate shooting. His development follows a difficult initial period at the club, when injuries and limited opportunities disrupted his progress.

He has since changed the perception around him and become one of the players trusted by the coaching staff. His team-mates have also grown more confident in his ability to make an impact on the pitch.

For Turkey, De Bruyne’s comments point to the need for a broader contribution across the squad. The team has a strong group of players, but must distribute its responsibilities more evenly so Guler is not expected to shoulder the entire burden of producing results.

Praise from a player of De Bruyne’s standing represents a significant endorsement of Guler’s ability. Having faced many of the world’s leading players throughout his career, De Bruyne’s assessment reflects the impression the Turkey international has already made at a young age.