Hungarians woke to a tough morning following their national team’s disastrous 3-0 defeat to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League playoffs on March 24, 2025. The loss, which resulted in a significant 6-1 aggregate defeat over the two-legged affair, not only marked Hungary's relegation from League A but also ignited a controversy between team captain Dominik Szoboszlai and Turkish midfielder Arda Guler.
The match, held in Budapest, saw Turkey secure an emphatic win, with Guler contributing significantly by scoring the second goal at the 39-minute mark. Following his remarkable goal, Guler celebrated by giving Szoboszlai a shushing gesture, bringing both players into an unexpected spat.
Szoboszlai, visibly frustrated during the match, reacted on social media in true modern fashion. After learning of Guler's provocative gesture, he posted a reply to a photo shared by Nemzeti Sport, a Hungarian sports outlet, merely stating "1088"—a reference to the total number of minutes Guler has played for Real Madrid this season.
This playful jab encapsulates the ongoing narrative surrounding Guler's limited appearances since joining Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023. Although he has showcased immense potential, having scored three goals and provided five assists while participating in 43 matches, the majority of those have been from the bench. As of the end of March 2025, Guler had clocked a mere 1088 minutes of play time, a stark contrast to Szoboszlai's 2889 minutes played for Liverpool over the same period, during which he scored seven goals and provided five assists.
In the aftermath of the match, Szoboszlai acknowledged the need for improvement within the Hungary team, stating, "The team needs to get together, I include myself, and come up with something for the summer that will take us forward, which will help us in the World Cup qualifiers. We need players who want to play in a World Cup again after forty years, and then we can make history again. This is the plan." His candid commentary reflects the anxiety and urgency stakeholder expressed throughout Hungary's campaign, especially after a disappointing run at Euro 2024.
Much discussion has surrounded Guler's situation at Real Madrid. Vincenzo Montella, the national team coach for Turkey, has voiced strong support for the young star, affirming, "He’s an exceptional footballer. We all know his talent and what he can contribute." Montella emphasized the common trend where players getting consistent game time with their clubs are likely to be selected for national duty.
Montella's remarks were echoed by fellow Turkish international and Inter Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu, who remarked, "I don’t know what his situation is at Real Madrid, that’s why I don’t want to get too involved in this situation because in the end he knows more, although of course I want and believe he deserves to play more minutes. Arda is a very important player because he’s like a little brother whom I love very much. I would like him to come and play with us at Inter, although I don’t know if that’s true."
This sentiment highlights the camaraderie among national teammates, yet it also underscores Guler's struggle to find a solid foothold in a squad rich in talent. Rumors have begun circulating in Spain that Guler could potentially explore a transfer to Inter Milan, especially considering Real Madrid's efforts to clear space for emerging talents like Nico Paz from Como.
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai and Hungary must regroup as they prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With Hungary having won only once in their last eight matches following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, the urgency to revitalize team dynamics has never been more crucial.
Looking ahead, they will need to address their tactical approach and focus on player synergy if they hope to return to competitive form. The path forward will demand resilience and tenacity as they aim to return to glory in international football.
As the two players navigate their careers, events such as the one once seen in Budapest serve as a reminder of the underlying ambitions of young footballers eager to prove themselves at the highest level.
