News Focus
- Arda Güler will sit out Real Madrid’s last match of the season against Athletic Club
- The Turkish midfielder is recovering from a hamstring strain suffered last month
- Los Blancos want to protect him ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America
- The fixture holds no importance for Real Madrid’s final league position
- Güler trained partially this week but will not be rushed back into action
Real Madrid will close their disappointing 2025-26 campaign this weekend with a home clash against Athletic Club. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa hopes to end the season positively, though he faces several selection problems.
The hosts will be without long-term casualties Éder Militão and Rodrygo Goes. Ferland Mendy is also ruled out through injury, while Dani Ceballos has been omitted by the coaching staff. However, Fede Valverde is expected to return to the squad.
The main focus falls on Arda Güler. The Turkey international picked up a hamstring injury last month that seemed to end his club season early. On Wednesday, he took part in part of the training session with his teammates as he gradually builds up his fitness.
Despite these encouraging signs, Güler will not feature this weekend. The match carries no significance for Real Madrid’s league standing, and the medical team see no reason to gamble with his health. The midfielder is set to join Turkey’s squad for the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Muscle injuries can worsen if players return too quickly. With the global tournament approaching, Real Madrid favour a cautious approach. Güler will use the next two weeks to regain full match sharpness before heading to North America for Turkey’s opening fixture.