Real Madrid to rest Guler for final La Liga fixture ahead of World Cup

Real Madrid has confirmed that midfielder Arda Guler will not be included in the squad for the final 2025-26 La Liga match against Athletic Club. The decision by manager Alvaro Arbeloa is driven by the need to preserve Guler’s fitness for the 2026 World Cup with Türkiye, following a hamstring injury sustained last month. With the match holding no competitive significance for the Spanish club, the coaching staff has deemed it unnecessary to risk the player’s availability for the upcoming international tournament.

The club is concluding a season described as disappointing, and Arbeloa’s side is looking to end on a positive note despite a depleted roster. Long-term absentees Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes will not be involved in the fixture. Additionally, Ferland Mendy remains unavailable due to injury, while Dani Ceballos is sidelined by the coaching staff. Fede Valverde, however, is expected to recover in time to return to the squad.

Optimism surrounds Guler’s recovery, with reports from Marca indicating that the midfielder participated in part of a training session on Wednesday. He completed a portion of the session with his teammates, marking a step in his rehabilitation. The club plans a gradual build-up over the next few days to ensure he does not aggravate the muscle injury, which carries a high risk of recurrence if players are rushed back into play.

Despite his involvement in training, it is understood that Guler will sit out the weekend fixture. The priority is to ensure he is ready to start for Türkiye’s first match of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Guler aims to be fully fit over the next couple of weeks, balancing his club’s final appearance with his international obligations.

The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to player management, given that Real Madrid has nothing to play for in the league standings. By resting key players in a match of no consequence, the club aims to mitigate injury risks and maintain squad readiness for the global stage. This strategy underscores the importance placed on international performance over domestic closure matches.