Fenerbhce's head of youth scouting Serhat Pekmezi has recalled identifying Arda Guler as a 14 year-old.

Now 18, Guler has just left Fener for Real Madrid.

Pekmezi recalled to Sky Italia's Gianluca di Marzio how he spotted Guler in an U14 game between Osmanlispor and Genclerbirligi.

"Arda Güler didn't play football, he danced with the ball: he had and still has the grace of a dancer," he said.

"The first thing that caught my attention about Arda Güler is that he always looks a lot at others before receiving the ball. That day in '65 he injured his left ankle but wanted to continue playing. I followed him off the pitch after the game, he left in the car with his father in even more pain than before. It was then that I realized that he was going to be a star."

However, Pekmezi admits Fener president Ali Koc still had to be convinced.

"But the president Ali Koc didn't take me seriously. I didn't give up and I prepared a DVD with all his best plays. At the risk of losing my job, I gave it to his driver and begged him to show it to him."

Eventually Guler left Genclerbirligi for Fener - and is now a Real Madrid player. Pekmezi added: "The new Messi? They are very different. Güler would say that he is more a mix between Guti and Modric. He is very confident, he has great ambition and has the ability to unlock games."