Dominik Szoboszlai has subtly responded to his heated exchange with Real Madrid’s Arda Guler during Hungary’s 3-0 defeat to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday night.
The Liverpool midfielder was unable to prevent his side from falling to a heavy loss as Turkey secured promotion to the UEFA Nations League A. However, one of the biggest talking points from the match was a tense moment between Szoboszlai and Guler, who had earlier scored for Turkey.
A viral image circulating on social media showed Guler putting his finger to his lips, appearing to tell Szoboszlai to stay quiet as the two argued over a decision on the pitch. The image quickly gained traction after a Hungarian sports channel posted it on Instagram with the caption: “Arda Guler told Dominik Szoboszlai to be quiet.”
Szoboszlai, however, did not stay silent. The Liverpool star responded cryptically, commenting “1088” on the post.
While the number might have seemed random to some, eagle-eyed fans quickly realized its significance—1088 minutes is exactly how much playing time Guler has accumulated for Real Madrid throughout the 2024-25 season, according to Transfermarkt.
In stark contrast, Szoboszlai has featured for 2,887 minutes in midfield for Liverpool this season, highlighting his key role for the Premier League giants.
Guler’s Limited Role at Madrid Sparks Debate
Since joining Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in 2023, Guler has struggled to secure a starting spot amid fierce competition in Los Blancos’ attack. While he has made 31 appearances in all competitions, only six of those have been starts in LaLiga, with Carlo Ancelotti primarily using him as an impact substitute.
The lack of game time has even prompted support from his national team-mate and Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu, who recently urged for Guler to play more.
“I don’t know what his situation is at Real Madrid, so I don’t want to get too involved in this situation,” Calhanoglu said. “But of course, I want and believe he deserves to play more minutes.”
Turkey’s head coach Vincenzo Montella also weighed in, praising Guler’s development: “He’s improved a lot in terms of attitude and character. He’s learned to fight, and he’s here with us because he has exceptional talent.”
Szoboszlai Looks Ahead with Liverpool
Despite Hungary’s disappointing defeat, Szoboszlai remains a vital figure for Liverpool, having made 40 appearances across all competitions this season, registering seven goals and five assists.
Before the international break, the Reds faced a dip in form following losses to PSG and Newcastle. However, with Liverpool currently 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, Szoboszlai will be hoping to help Arne Slot’s squad maintain their lead when they return to action against rivals Everton.
With his pointed response to Guler, Szoboszlai has made his stance clear—he lets his performances on the pitch do the talking.