An explanation has emerged after Real Madrid’s Arda Guler was spotted wearing an unusual device during their rampant 6-1 win over Monaco on Wednesday night. Los Blancos have now won back-to-back matches under caretaker manager Alvaro Arbeloa, after his tenure began in the worst possible fashion with a 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat to second tier Albacete.
The perennial Champions League winners appear to be back on track, with six of their seven shots on target finding the back of the net at the Bernabeu. A Kylian Mbappe brace kick-started proceedings inside the opening half-hour, while further goals from Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham saw Real Madrid climb to third in the league phase heading into the final gameweek.
Amid the goals, eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice Guler wearing a round, white device on his arm, similar to those worn by players with type one diabetes. The reason behind it has since emerged - and it is not for medical reasons.
Why Guler Wore Unusual Device on his Arm During Real Madrid 6-1 Monaco
arda guler real madrid
What the young Turkish forward was wearing was a glucometer, a device used to monitor blood glucose levels. Although it is usually associated with diabetes management, there is no information to suggest that he suffers from this condition. On the contrary, the device is being used more and more frequently by elite athletes to optimise athletic performance.
Dietitian-nutritionist Guillermo Gomez, from the Cemtro Clinic in Madrid, explained to “CuidatePlus”, as per Telegrafi, that the glucometer “helps to understand how glucose reacts to exercise, rest and food.” He also gave some examples: "Some athletes follow low-carb diets, but their sport requires maximum intensity. Glucose monitoring helps them understand when it is the right time to consume carbohydrates."
As pointed out by Tribuna, Real Madrid are known for operating at the cutting edge of sports science and performance analytics. Wearable tech - from GPS trackers to heart-rate monitors - is already standard in training. A glucose monitor is simply another layer of data, which has also been previously spotted on Casemiro's arm as well (See above).
Glucometer's Role in Athletic Performance
Real Madrid training
According to Gomez, using a glucometer doesn't work miracles, but it helps with better nutrition management, especially in sports like football, where there are frequent changes in pace and intensity.
Information the glucometer device can provide:
The moment when the body begins to run out of energy.
Sudden drops in glucose that affect performance.
The influence of factors such as heat, exercise intensity and hydration.
"This allows for more precise adjustment of what to eat, how much and when, making nutrition much more personalized," the specialist emphasises. Decision-making, reaction speed, and concentration rely heavily on stable glucose levels. Data can help explain drops in sharpness late in games.