Arda Güler (foto: Getty Images)
Arda Güler has been named UEFA’s first Champions League Discovery of the Season after making huge progress with Real Madrid.
UEFA introduced a brand new individual award for this season’s Champions League, and the first player to receive it is Arda Güler.
The Real Madrid midfielder has officially been named Discovery of the Season, replacing the previous Young Player of the Season category.
The change represents more than a simple name adjustment.
According to UEFA, the new award aims to recognize players who make major leaps in performance and importance during a season, rather than simply rewarding the best young star.
"UEFA established the award instead of the Young Player of the Season award with the aim of highlighting players who make great progress in a given season. Instead of those who are still young, but at the same time are already well established as world-class players."
The decision surprised some supporters because players such as João Neves, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and several stars from PSG and Arsenal also enjoyed outstanding campaigns.
UEFA, however, highlighted Güler’s rapid rise inside one of football’s biggest clubs.
Last season, the Turkish international started only one Champions League match.
This season, he started 13 games, made 14 appearances overall, and increased his playing time dramatically.
His minutes jumped from 142 minutes in 2024/25 to 1,030 minutes in 2025/26.
He also finished the campaign with four assists and scored his first Champions League goals, both arriving against Juventus.
Although Real Madrid failed to reach the final after losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, Güler’s individual progress clearly left a strong impression.
At only 21 years old, the Turkish playmaker continues building his case as one of Europe’s most exciting talents.