Arsenal Captain Martin Ødegaard Reflects on His Real Madrid Stint: What Was ‘Annoying’ and His Unforgettable Moments
Currently one of the linchpins at Arsenal, young Martin Ødegaard officially took his very first steps onto the scene back in 2015, when he donned the white jersey of Real Madrid at the youthful age of 16.
Early Expectations and Annoyances
The hype was unprecedented at his coming, but Ødegaard’s journey at Real Madrid was far from perfect. “But, in a conversation that recently took place between the young Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri and Ødegaard on the club’s YouTube channel, the Norwegian, too, shared more about his time in Madrid with the bad sections he finds to be annoying, as well as some remarkable experiences that he had from this time.
His transfer to Real Madrid had long been expected as he was celebrated as one of Europe’s brightest youngsters. But things did not go Ødegaard’s way in the Spanish club. Though his stay could not be termed as frustrating, the Norwegian youngster found a few things about his Madrid journey a bit too annoying.
Reflecting on his experiences, Ødegaard said, “It was annoying. Everyone just saw me as the young kid and you just want to be looked at as a normal player.” He further elaborated on this point, saying that the friction caused by the image projected toward him was hindering his life, as he was mainly perceived as a young boy, rather than from his professional abilities. Ødegaard said that he was often being judged by his young age alone and not so much for the performances that he had showcased on the pitch.
He continued saying, “I think it’s quite normal to have more attention when you play at such a young age. But as soon as you get older and play more minutes, I think people start to forget about your age and see the quality. They don’t care about your age too much and that’s the main thing.”
Training with the Stars: A Dream Come True
What added to Ødegaard’s frustration was the fact that, as talented and potential-laden as he was, often he felt, deep inside, that he was little more than a “young kid” where recognition of his hard work and skill was concerned.
As much as frustrations ran along his time at Real Madrid, Ødegaard also found moments that he describes as unforgettable. He says that training with the best players in the world was simply the best he recalls during his days in Madrid.
Ødegaard can vividly recall his excitement the first time he was told to join the first team and took his sit in the dressing room near or next to almost every legend he knew, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale. “I think when I came to Madrid and when I started training with the first team, all the big players such as Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale were there. Just to walk in there, in the dressing room, and then go on the pitch with them and see their qualities, it was such unreal moments,” he said.
These were not only career highs but also unmissable learning opportunities for Ødegaard. In the company of such great players, he observed and soaked in the qualities that made them great, elements that would form his own game.
A New Chapter for the 21-Year-Old at Arsenal
Since leaving Real Madrid, Ødegaard’s career has flourished at Arsenal. He joined the Gunners on loan in 2021, moving on a permanent deal six months later to become a key player under Mikel Arteta. Development has been signposted by consistent performances and the growing influence of the side.
At Arsenal, Ødegaard has enjoyed a more stable and prominent role, free from the overshadowing expectations that marked his time at Madrid. His leadership as captain and his contributions on the field have established him as one of the key players in Arteta’s plans.
Conclusion
Martin Ødegaard’s rise has been from wonderkid at Real Madrid to linchpin at Arsenal, difficult and triumphant by fair measures. His candid reflections on his time at Madrid reveal said complexities in managing expectations and perceptions as a youth. But Ødegaard drew much from the frustrations that met him then, like some of the finest to ever play the game.
Now an Arsenal player, Ødegaard has gotten into a different chapter of his life, in which he is known for his talent and leadership rather than for his age. With maturity and leadership off the pitch, certainly lessons from that time at Real Madrid offered its input into his make-up now, in the present – the successful, mentally tough one.
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