Real Madrid’s dominance this season has been an absolute masterclass in just how seamlessly they’ve managed to balance consistency with control. But among all that structure, two players have really caught the eye in the way they seem to just click on the pitch : Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler.
Their impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Even Toni Kroos has described them as the heartbeat of Madrid’s current rhythm. Now-retired Kroos, arguably one of the greatest midfield maestros the club has ever seen, has singled them out as the driving forces behind the new, attacking identity that Madrid is now embracing.
He said: “Kylian Mbappé is having an outstanding season. In my opinion, one of the reasons for that is the presence of players like Arda Güler, who has a little bit more of a magic touch and the vision to find him.”
As someone who defined Madrid’s midfield for a decade, you can bet he knows a thing or two about what makes a team tick.
The magic duo of Güler and Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé’s arrival at the Bernabéu has certainly changed the dynamic, but it’s the partnership he’s building with Arda Güler that’s the really interesting and impactful one of the 2025–26 season.
Mbappé started the season on an absolute tear, netting 11 goals in his first 10 La Liga matches. Meanwhile, Güler (who just turned 20 in February 2025 by the way ), is making his mark as an important creative player, chipping in with 3 goals himself this season (with one set up from Mbappé) and 4 assists (all for the French player).
But it’s the way these two play together that really stands out. Güler’s been providing assists for Mbappé at a pretty great rate so far this season. The Turkish midfielder has some impressive technical skill and can operate in this perfect sweet spot in the middle of the pitch, where he can pick out Mbappé with ease on his explosive runs. And it’s worked wonders in wins over Oviedo, Levante, and Villarreal.
This partnership is just part of a bigger shift under Xabi Alonso, who came in after Carlo Ancelotti left after the 2024–25 season. Instead of relying on individual brilliance, Alonso’s system is about structured, fluid transitions that really play to Mbappé’s strengths, and get him the balls he needs to thrive.
The emergence of Güler alongside Bellingham hints that a new, young and dynamic core is taking over from the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.
So, the real heartbeat of Real Madrid’s tactical renewal in 2025–26 is the connection between Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler. A duo that just works, and brings together the perfect blend of clinical finishing and creative vision.
We get the sense that these two just have this totally intuitive understanding of each other. Güler’s strategic movements seem to free up space for Mbappé, and the attack just becomes so much more fluid as a result. And the stats don’t lie , five goal contributions between them so far this season is no coincidence.