The so-called ‘Turkish Messi’ Arda Guler has just turned down the chance to join Barcelona and instead opted to sign with arch-rivals Real Madrid.

If he reaches his full potential, the Catalans may regret missing out on the attacking midfielder. But, this is not the first time a player has turned down Camp Nou to go to the Bernabeu.

We have taken a look at 7 players who passed up the opportunity to sign for Barcelona to move to Real Madrid. To be fair, history could have been very different if some of these deals had played out differently.

Arda Guler

Arda Guler, 18, is considered one of the most exciting young players in Europe. And, Real Madrid has just announced his arrival from Fenerbahce on a six-year contract.

The attacking midfielder has a release clause of 18 million euros. However, reports suggest that Los Blancos could end up spending €50 million on Guler including bonuses, as well as a hefty commission that is said to have been paid to Guler’s father.

Barcelona, Newcastle and Liverpool are in the race for Guler. However, it was Real Madrid who took the lead.

Now, it will be interesting to see if he can live up to his ‘Turkish Messi’ moniker at the Bernabeu over the next few years.

Antonio Rudiger

has left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2022, but not many realize he may have ended up playing for Barcelona.

The Germany international left Stamford Bridge on a free form, which has attracted the attention of the Catalan side, who have spent very little over the past few years.

In fɑct, Rudiger’s step-brother, Sahr Senesie, met with Barcelona representatives to discuss a possible transfer, before the player agreed a deal with Real Madrid a month later.

“Yes, there has been interest from Barcelona,” Rudiger told a press conference. “But I told my brother it was Real or nothing.”

Vinicius Junior

Without a doubt, one of Europe’s best wingers, Vinicius Junior is another superstar who could have signed for Barcelona instead of Real Madrid.

The Brazil international joined Los Blancos from Flamengo in 2017 for a fee of £38.7 million. Since then, he has scored 59 goals in 225 appearances, along with 64 assists.

In the process, he played a key role in Real Madrid winning two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Vini admitted after moving to the Bernabeu that he may have joined their arch-rivals.

“I have received offers from Madrid and Barca. My father told me I had to choose, and I had to follow my heart,” he said.

Dani CeballosDani Ceballos was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe when he joined Real Madrid for €18 million in 2017.

Since then, he has made 120 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 6 goals and providing 12 assists. The Spaniard also spent two years on loan at Arsenal.

But, things could be very different for Ceballos, who chose to join Real Madrid over Barcelona. In an interview, he rҽvҽalҽd that Florentino Perez was key in luring him to the Bernabeu.

“I [in a] in a tug of wɑr with Real Madrid and Barcelona,” Ceballos said.

“But, that was basically when Florentino [Perez] called me. No player has the ability to sɑy ‘no’ to Real Madrid.”

Mesut Ozil

In a very interesting interview in March, Arsenal icon Mesut Ozil revҽaled that a ‘disappointing’ experience with Pep Guardiola had prevented him from joining Barcelona.

The attacking midfielder went on a rampagҽ after bursting into flames at the 2010 World Cup for Germany and secured a £13million move from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid that same summer.

But, things could have been very different for Ozil.

“I don’t know if this is known, but I visited Madrid and Barcelona at the time and the main difference was Jose Mourinho,” said Ozil.

“Mou gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they’d won. That gave me goosebumps.

“The visit to Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing was that Pep Guardiola did not bother to see me.

“Before that trip, I really liked Barcelona’s style of football and I could really imagine playing against them, but Madrid gave it their all.”

Ozil has made 159 appearances for Madrid, scoring 27 goals and providing 81 assists.

Isco

One player who has enjoyed a long period of success at the Bernabeu is Isco, who has won countless trophies during his career.

Overall, in his 9 years with Real Madrid, he has won 5 Champions League titles, 3 La Liga titles, and 1 Copa Del Rey.

But, he almost parted ways with Los Blancos in 2017. Indeed, Isco has admitted that Barca contacted him before he signed a contract extension.

“There was some contact [with Barcelona], but I didn’t listen to them,” Isco said.

“I have never heard of any offers. My idea has always been to succeed at Real Madrid.”

Isco left Real Madrid to join Sevilla in 2022. Now, he is a free agent.

Cristiano Ronaldo

However, the biggest player Barcelona missed out on was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner became the most expensive player in the world when he left Manchester United for the Bernabeu in 2009, for £84.6 million.

Ronaldo went on to become Madrid’s all-time top scorer, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances. In addition, he helped his team win two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys and four Champions Leagues.

But, he can also be a Barcelona player. Even so, it was the Catalan side who turned down the opportunity to sign him.

Indeed, Joan Laporta rҽvҽalҽd that Barcelona had a chance to roƅ Man Utd’s move for Ronaldo back in 2003.

“We are going to sign Ronaldinho and Rafa Marquez,” Laporta said in an interview. “Marquez’s people recommended Cristiano Ronaldo to us. He was at Sporting at the time.

“One of his agents said they have a player that they sold to [Manchester] United for 19 million euros, but they will sell him to us for 17 million euros.

“But we invested in Ronaldinho. Cristiano plays wider in the center. We thought we were covered so we turned him down and I don’t regret it.”

History could have been very different had Laporta decided to splurge on the 18-year-old. Indeed, he could have played alongside Lionel Messi, rather than against him.