Arda Güler: "We're ashamed, we apologise to our people"

After Türkiye's 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D and their exit from the tournament, young star Arda Güler gave an emotional, self-critical post-match interview to the broadcaster.

Saying there was not much to say, Arda expressed the deep sadness and disappointment the team felt. "We're very sad, we're ashamed. We apologise to all our people," the young player said, stressing that they could not do what they wanted on the pitch and could not score.

Looking ahead, Arda pledged that they would do their very best in future tournaments, and that he personally would do everything he could in every tournament to make up for this painful memory. Noting that they play for very big clubs and that this result should not have happened, he apologised once more.

The young star also moved to head off any talk of an internal crisis after the poor result. Stating clearly that there was no cliquishness or communication problem in the dressing room, Arda concluded: "There's no issue with friendships; we just couldn't do what we wanted on the pitch and couldn't score."

Image: Akşam