Guler Vows to Erase Memory of Turkiye Exit

Sat, 20th Jun, 2026

FIFA World Cup Arda Guler Turkey

Arda Guler isn't ready to move past Turkiye's World Cup exit quietly. Speaking after the 1-0 defeat to Paraguay confirmed elimination, the Real Madrid midfielder delivered one of the rawest reactions of the tournament so far, promising to spend his international career trying to forget it ever happened.

A Personal Vow After a Painful Exit

"In my career with the national team, I will do everything possible to forget this World Cup," Guler said, visibly shaken as the cameras lingered on his face. It wasn't a throwaway line. Coming from a 21-year-old already carrying the weight of a golden generation, the words carried real conviction, signaling just how deeply this result has cut.

Two games, zero goals, and 62 shots without a single one finding the net. Those numbers tell their own story, and Guler knows it. Turkiye arrived in this tournament with genuine ambition, fielding players from Europe's biggest clubs. Instead, they leave without a point, undone not by a lack of chances but by a complete inability to convert them.

Crucially, Guler moved quickly to shut down speculation of unrest behind the scenes. "There was no issue between us in the dressing room," he insisted. "Not at all. We just couldn't score goals." Then, simply: "That's it." The directness mattered. Rather than letting rumors fester, Guler addressed them head-on, refusing to let outside narratives define the squad's failure.

What Comes Next for Turkiye

One match remains, against the United States, though nothing tangible is left to play for. Pride, however, still matters enormously to this group. Guler's comments suggest a squad determined to respond, even with qualification already gone. Whether that response arrives in front of goal remains the only question that counts.