Real Madrid's Arda Guler is on the list of registered players for the 2023-24 Champions League, but the Turkish player has not played a single minute in the competition and it is not at all clear that this trophy can be added to his trophy cabinet. However, there is a precedent, also at Real Madrid, for which he could be considered a champion. This is Isco, who was recognised by UEFA for his fifth Champions League in 2022 despite not taking part in it.
UEFA made an exception to its regulations in 2022 regarding the minimum standards a player must meet to be considered a Champions League winner, although this change is not officially stated anywhere. Arda Guler could be the big beneficiary of this variation this season.
Isco's precedent in 2022 could suggest that the trophy has also been won by Guler. The player from Malaga did not play a single minute and, according to UEFA rules, that Champions League should not be added to his trophy cabinet, but he is listed in the UEFA rankings with five Champions League titles, as are Benzema, Casemiro, Marcelo and company. Therefore, the highest European football body does recognise this title for the Malaga player.
The rule says in reference to Champions League winners: "Substitutes without minutes or unused squad players do not count". According to this rule, Guler is not a European champion and Isco should not have 5 trophies, but 4.
Arda Guler has suffered too many injuries this year and this has meant that his number of minutes has been reduced with Real Madrid, to the extent that he has not played in Europe. Even so, he has finished the season like a shot scoring 6 goals in 12 games. Moreover, he can say that in his first season as a ‘Merengue’ he has won the league and he is sure to win the Champions League.