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Eduardo Camavinga has completed a remarkable turnaround at Real Madrid, moving ahead of Arda Guler in the midfield pecking order after a turbulent 2025 dominated by injuries. The French midfielder is now favourite to start Sunday’s Super Cup final against Barcelona after impressing manager Xabi Alonso in recent matches.
Camavinga Overtakes Guler in Real Madrid Pecking Order Ahead of El Clasico Final
The 23-year-old midfielder endured a difficult 2025 campaign, starting just six of 25 matches while spending significant time in the treatment room. Until the turn of the year, Camavinga had fallen below Guler in Real Madrid’s midfield hierarchy, with his injury problems and lack of form severely limiting his opportunities under Alonso’s management.
However, the arrival of 2026 has marked a dramatic shift in Camavinga’s fortunes at the Bernabeu. The Real Madrid coaching staff now views the Frenchman as the superior option alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham in the midfield trio. This change in perception was confirmed when Alonso selected Camavinga to start against Real Betis and repeated the decision for the Super Cup semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
Camavinga’s physical presence and ground coverage have given Real Madrid greater defensive solidity compared to Guler’s contributions. While Alonso has previously emphasised the need to invest heavily in the Turkish playmaker’s development, Guler’s defensive work rate has declined in recent months, costing him his place in high-stakes encounters. The 19-year-old has failed to impress during the last few months of competition.
The club’s faith in Camavinga was further demonstrated when Real Madrid rejected an offer from Liverpool for the midfielder’s services. His ability to make the team feel more compact and solid defensively has convinced the coaching staff that he offers qualities currently lacking in Guler’s game, particularly in crucial matches against top-level opposition.
Camavinga now faces the opportunity to cement his place in Alonso’s plans with a strong performance in Sunday’s El Clasico final. A solid display against Barcelona could establish him as a crucial component in the manager’s midfield setup for the second half of the campaign, completing his transformation from injury-prone afterthought to guaranteed starter in the season’s biggest match.
