Arda Guler responds on Instagram after Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella named him on the bench for Euro 2024 clash vs Portugal
Arda Guler has firmly quashed any suggestions he was unhappy about being named on the bench by Vincenzo Montella in Turkey's 3-0 loss to Portugal at Euro 2024. The Real Madrid wonderkid shone in his nation's 3-1 opening win against Georgia with one of the tournament's best goals thus far.
Guler was surprisingly named on the bench against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao on Saturday (June 22). Montella's men struggled to get a foothold in the game and ended up with their first loss of the campaign. Bernardo Silva (21'), Samet Akaydin (28' OG) and Bruno Fernandes were on target.
The 19-year-old attacker posted two pictures on his Instagram story after the game. One was of Montella embracing him, and another was a team photo, which he captioned with a motivational message to fans:
"Don't stop believing in this team and supporting us because we will not stop fighting for our country till the last minute."
The former Fenerbahce youngster entered the fray in the 70th minute but couldn't spark a Turkish revival. His side still sits second in Group F, three points behind leaders Portugal, who are through to Euro 2024's last 16.
Montella admitted Guler risked injury when he came on at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Turkey's manager said (via Turkish outlet De Marke Sports):
"We protected Arda Guler for the last two days. He had a certain fatigue. We talked to him and the doctor, we did not want to take risks. I hope we will not need him in the second-half."
Arda Guler is considered Turkish football's biggest superstar in years amid a move to Madrid last summer. He was dubbed the 'Turkish Messi' during his time at Fenerbahce. His nation will be eager for him to be fully fit for their last Group F clash against Czechia on Wednesday (June 26).
"I am proud" - Arda Guler was honored to face Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024
Arda Guler's outing against Portugal saw him go up against arguably the greatest European footballer in history, Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is 20 years older than Los Blancos' latest starlet.
The Turkish ace spoke glowingly of Ronaldo, 39, ahead of his nation's encounter with Selecao (via CristianoXtra):
"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. I am proud to play against him."
Ronaldo wasn't on the scoresheet but provided Bruno Fernandes with the assist for Portugal's third. He spearheads Roberto Martinez's attack at Euro 2024 in his 11th major international tournament.
The five-time UEFA Champions League winner won the competition in 2016. He is international football's all-time top scorer with 130 goals and 47 assists in 209 caps.