Home Football Martin Odegaard: A Child Prodigy – The Youngest Player To Join Real Madrid – A Shining Star In Arsenal

Martin Odegaard: A Child Prodigy – The Youngest Player To Join Real Madrid – A Shining Star In Arsenal

Football — 04/26/2024

 Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard: “Leaving Real Madrid allowed me to develop more.”

Odegaard joined Real in 2014 when he was just 15 years old. He only played 11 matches during his seven-year contract for the Spanish team, alternating with seasons with Heerenveen, Vitesse, Sociedad, and Arsenal on loan. In 2021, Arsenal bought Odegaard outright for $35 million, and a year later, the Norwegian player became captain.

“Leaving Real is the best decision for me,” Martin Odegaard told Daily Mail on October 14. “I want to play more and continue to develop.”

Odegaard (left) celebrates Arsenal's 1-0 win over Man City on October 8. Photo: Arsenal

Odegaard is currently one of the top attacking midfielders in the world. Last season, he led Arsenal to second place in the Premier League. The “Gunners” led until round 33, before falling due to a number of injuries and instability compared to Man City.

This season, Odegaard and Arsenal continue to improve. They beat Man City 4-1 in the English Super Cup penalty shootout, then won 1-0 in round eight of the Premier League. “Gunners” and Tottenham have the same 20 points, two points more than the defending champion.

Played better after leaving, but Odegaard still believes that his time with Real was a positive period. The 24-year-old midfielder affirmed that with Real, he learned many things, became more mature, and had the opportunity to practice with the world’s top players. “Maybe the opportunity came too soon, but it was a great experience,” Odegaard added. “If I hadn’t come to Real, I wouldn’t have reached the level I am at now.”

Odegaard also said that playing only 11 matches in seven years for Real is completely understandable. He considers Real to be the biggest club in the world and the pressure always exists, even without Cristiano Ronaldo or other superstars.

Odegaard is also the captain of the Norwegian team. The 24-year-old midfielder and his teammates are ranked third in Group A of Euro 2024 qualifying, with 10 points through six matches, behind Scotland and Spain. Norway still has a chance to win one of the top two spots, if it plays well against Spain and Scotland in the last two matches.