There is a strange atmosphere inside Real Madrid. Open displays of dissatisfaction with substitution decisions are recurring. This time it's Arda Guler (21).
The British outlet Tribuna reported on the 29th (Korea time) that Arda Guler, who was substituted off during the match against SL Benfica, showed strong displeasure toward coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Guler expressed anger toward the bench immediately after the substitution, and a scene was captured of him mouthing coarse words.
Real Madrid lost 2-4 to SL Benfica in the final match of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League group stage held at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on the 29th (Korea time).
It was a match in which a draw would have been enough to keep them in the top ranks, but Real wavered from start to finish and self-destructed.
The moment came in the 34th minute of the second half. Coach Arbeloa tried to bring on Brahim Díaz in place of Guler. The problem was Guler's performance. He had already registered an assist and was regarded as one of the most dangerous players in attack. When his substitution appeared on the scoreboard, Guler shook his head as if he couldn't believe it and reacted angrily toward the touchline.
According to reports, as he was substituted Guler shouted, Always me. Always me. He headed to the bench, but his expression and gestures could not hide his displeasure. It was a scene that exposed his distrust of Arbeloa's selection methods.
Coincidentally, the scene recalls last year's clash between Vinícius Júnior and coach Xavi Alonso. When Vinícius was ordered off in El Clásico, he fiercely protested, saying, "It's always me," and reportedly even said, "I'd rather leave the team." At the time, dissatisfaction over substitutions was also at the core.
The commonality between the two incidents is clear. Substitution decisions made regardless of performance, and players' public backlash when they cannot accept them. It seems a strange habit of "immediate emotional displays over substitutions" has taken root among Real Madrid players.
Of course, in Guler's case the situation did not escalate as much as with Vinícius. He did not head straight to the locker room, nor did he make public statements. However, given that he recorded an assist and was the first player taken off, it is easy to imagine the sense of deprivation he felt.
Still, the recurring scenes are telling. Just as Vinícius openly defied coach Alonso, Arda Guler created a similar scene with coach Arbeloa. The phrase "always me" resonates among Real players like a common refrain. Attention is focusing on whether a slight crack is forming in the team's hierarchy and trust.
[OSEN]