Jude Bellingham has been dubbed the heartthrob of the England squad, no doubt picking up more followers and fans after cinching England’s fate in the Euros by scoring a 95th minute bicycle flip against Slovakia last night.
But, the 21-year-old might be facing some competition from a Real Madrid teammate – as it’s an even younger footballing wunderkind who appears to have won the hearts of millions on social media.
Arda Guler, 19, made his debut as the Euros newest darling after scoring more than a million Instagram followers since hitting screens.
The young Turkish star has won more than just goals after raking in more than a million followers since the start of the tournament, bringing his social media fanbase to a total of 10.3 million.
With over a million followers having poured in, Arda has earned himself the biggest gain in followers, out of all other players between 13th of June and 27th of June.
Arda kicked Turkey off to an immaculate start in the football tournament after scoring a crowd roaring goal in their match against Georgia – he has since been referred to as a ‘Turkish Messi’ after wowing fans.
Arda Guler, 19, pictured posing for a picture while on holiday, has received the highest influx of Instagram followers since the tournament started earlier this month
Arda shared several pictures of his match at the Euros last week. The youngster has become popular thanks to his good looks and contagious smile
His impressive efforts on the pitch may have won hearts as well as followers as the young footballer’s comments fill up with words of admiration from fans.
Arda’s comment section on his now enormous Instagram profile are filled with proud Turkish people who wrote to tell him how proud they were.
Another fan wrote: ‘We are so proud of you my dear brother, may god bless you’ while a third chimed in to wish the young player their best, writing ‘He’s going to be such a great player’.
The young footballer has captivated fans with his athletic build, tanned skin and cropped dirty blonde hair, with many awe-struck by the teenager’s contagious smile.
Though some may be disappointed, the youngster is thought to have a girlfriend, Duru Nayman, a basketball player from Arda’s native Turkey.
His fellow athlete beau is thought to be around 18-years-old and is a member of the Galatasaray Women’s Basketball team.
Fans suspected romance might have blossomed after Duru was pictured sat next to Arda’s parents while he was being unveiled for Real Madrid.
With his impressive performance against Georgia, the ‘Turkish Messi’ has become the third teenager to score on his very first Euros appearance – with after Ferenc Bene for Hungary against Spain in 1964 and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against Greece in 2004 – with a brilliant 20-yard strike.
To add to his magnificent list of firsts, Arda is also the youngest player to score on his European Championship debut.
The team have blown hot and cold so far, after a humiliating defeat against Portugal and then finishing with a timid win against Czech Republic, which has levelled them up to progress as Group F runners-up.
Prior to their win over the Czechs, Turkey’s manager Vincenzo Montella put forward the pretty faced Arda Guler over Kerem Akturkoglu and Irfan Kahveci who was had a one-game suspension.
Turkey are due to take on Austria in their next game on 2 July after winning against Georgia in the Group D stages of the tournament.
Arda shared a picture from a night out on his Instagram. He posed in all black ensemble, unsmiling but handsome
Pictured: Duru Nayman, 18, the girlfriend of Arda. Fans suspected romance might have blossomed after Duru was pictured sat next to Arda’s parents while he was being unveiled for Real Madrid
Arda’s comment section on his now enormous Instagram profile are filled with proud Turkish people who told him how proud they were of him
Pictured: The young footballer posing for a picture at the beach. He has captivated fans with his athletic build, tanned skin and cropped dirty blonde hair
The 19-year-old pictured at Turkey’s game against Czech Republic on 26 June – they timidly won the game
Arda has since been referred to as a ‘Turkish Messi ‘ after wowing fans with his performance against Georgia
Arda is one of only three teenagers to have scored a goal in his first appearance at the Euros
Arda currently plays for Real Madrid but has been wafted as a suggestion for joining Liverpool after the team made contact with Real Madrid regarding the playmaker’s services, as per Spanish outlet Marca.
Though the Reds are keen, it’s been suggested that Real Madrid are not keen on selling Guler, who was only signed last summer and has five years of his contract remaining.
Second on the list of player’s who have received the biggest following since the Euros began earlier this month, is the Portuguese player, Ronaldo who in a veteran heart throb and has been previously named one of the sexist sportsmen.
The 39-year-old has gained 996,661 Instagram followers since the beginning of the tournament, just short of Arda’s impressive tally.
At the end of last year, Ronaldo was named the fifth sexist sportsman by Illicitencounters.com, while Lionel Messi, Arda Guler’s predecessor – was awarded ninth place.
Reaching third spot with increase in Instagram followers was unsurprisingly, England player, Jude Bellingham, who has taken over Jack Grealish as the squad’s heartthrob.
Called ‘England’s most fanciable footballer’, the 20-year-old dethroned fellow brummie Jack Grealish as the heartthrob of the Three Lions, after the Manchester City midfielder was dropped from Gareth Southgate’s team.
Jude has appeared in a campaign for Kim Kardashian’s clothing and shapewear brand – opening himself up to a whole new legion of fans.
In a video, shared on the SKIMS Instagram account, Jude leaves barely anything to the imagination and can be seen sporting a pair of dark grey boxer shorts below well formed abs.
Jude has seen his celebrity rise and rise since signing for Real Madrid a year ago.
His transfer to the Spanish giants caps an incredible rise, which began when he became Birmingham City’s youngest ever player at just 16.