“Martin Odegaard Reveals What ‘Annoyed’ Him at Real Madrid Before His Arsenal Move”
“Martin Odegaard Reveals What ‘Annoyed’ Him at Real Madrid Before His Arsenal Move”
Martin Odegaard plays like he has been at Arsenal forever, but it’s easy to forget the Norwegian was actually signed by Real Madrid when he was a teenager
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says he was annoyed at being seen as the youngster at Real Madrid, claiming he was treated differently as a result.
Odegaard, 25, led the north Londoners to a 2-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Gunners’ opening match of the Premier League season. But before he was wearing the armband at the Emirates Stadium, Odegaard was struggling to find his place at the Bernabeu.
In 2015, Odegaard was thrust into the spotlight when he completed a move from Stromgodset to Los Blancos at the age of 16. However, he was never really given a chance in the Spanish capital and after loans to Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad, Arteta signed Odegaard on loan in January 2021, before signing him permanently six months later.
Now he is no longer considered a wonderkid, Odegaard has reflected on his youth at Real Madrid and admits that being constantly referred to as the up-and-coming starlet used to drive him mad.
Odegaard made his admission while speaking to Arsenal’s youngest ever player Ethan Nwaneri. The Gunners’ academy prospect made history in 2022 when he made his debut against Brentford aged just 15.
While they were speaking to each other on Arsenal’s official YouTube page, Nwaneri asked Odegaard how he handled pundits, reporters and fans always talking about his age.
The Norwegian said: “It was annoying. Everyone just saw me as the young kid and you just want to be looked at as a normal player. I think it’s normal as well when you play at such a young age, it comes with a bit more attention.
“But as soon as you get older, and get more minutes, I think people start to forget your age and see your quality. They don’t care too much about your age and that’s the main thing.”
Odegaard only made 11 appearances for Real Madrid while at the Bernabeu. When asked about the moment he recognised the magnitude of his move, the Norwegian said: “I think when I came to Madrid and when I started training with the first team.
“All the big players were there like Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale. To just walk in there, in the dressing room and then go on the pitch with them and see their qualities. They were such unreal moments.”
Odegaard has become one of the finest midfielders Arsenal have had this century. Last season, he contributed 11 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions as the Gunners finished just two points behind Premier League winners Manchester City.
