Mesut Ozil names Real Madrid star BETTER than MESSI and RONALDO!

Real Madrid legend Mesut Ozil has made a shocking statement when asked to compare two footballing legends.

At a press conference, Mesut Ozil was asked by a fan the standard question of whether he preferred Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, the two best players of their generation (and, in Messi's case, arguably the greatest player of all-time).

Ozil laughed before picking up the microphone and answering "Arda Guler." This caused the room to erupt in cheers and applause as Ozil chuckled to himself.

Typically players with an affiliation to Real Madrid, Man Utd or Portugal answer in favour of Ronaldo, while most everyone else in the world acknowledges Messi's superiority.

Ozil's decision to bypass the debate and shine a light on young Arda Guler was a sweet and funny moment (he was clearly joking) but also emphasised the connection Ozil has to the young Turk.

Messi or Ronaldo ?
Mesut Özil: Arda Güler.

You are a Legend، Mesut! 🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/4RsFzBVQNv

— Arda Güler HQ (@iHQGuler) October 12, 2024

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Arda Guler: The New Ozil?

After all, the only reason Arda Guler is a Real Madrid player is because of Mesut Ozil.

Barcelona were the side initially courting Guler, and seemed to have the deal tied up before Ozil intervened on Madrid's behalf, convincing the teenager to change his mind at the eleventh hour and join Los Blancos.

That worked and Arda Guler joined Real Madrid (meanwhile Barcelona benefitted perhaps even more from this, as it ended up giving Lamine Yamal the minutes he needed to showcase his staggering talent).

Arda Guler's first season at the Santiago Bernabeu was marked by injury as he missed several months with meniscus and muscle problems.

Then when he returned, it was hard for him to break into a Real Madrid side that was fully in rhythm during the second-half of the season.

But there was a glimpse of his greatness at the end of the season when he scored five goals in five games to close out the league season.

This season, Arda Guler has already played 291 minutes across all competitions for Los Blancos, which is over half of what he managed last campaign (440).

As long as he can stay fit, Arda Guler should be set for a truly breakout season for Real Madrid. Then he can go some of the way to filling Mesut Ozil's shoes at the Santiago Bernabeu, justifying Ozil's incredible faith in him.