Martin Ødegaard is a Norwegian midfielder. He plays for and captains Arsenal and the Norway national team. He was born on December 17, 1998.
He started his senior career at age 15 in 2014 with Strømsgodset in Norway, setting the league record for youngest goalscorer. In 2015, he signed with Real Madrid for around €4 million, setting the club record for youngest player. But he struggled for playing time and went on loan to Heerenveen and Vitesse in the Netherlands, and then to Real Sociedad in Spain. He won the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad in 2019.
In the second half of the 2020-21 season, he joined Arsenal on loan. He signed permanently in August 2021 for an initial £30 million and was named club captain in July 2022.
Martin Ødegaard made his senior international debut for Norway in 2014 at age 15, setting the record for the youngest player to represent the country. He also holds the record for the youngest player to feature in a European Championship qualifier. He became Norway’s full captain in March 2021.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Martin Ødegaard
He Had a Bodyguard at Just 15
By 15, Martin Ødegaard was such a national sensation in Norway that his club gave him a personal bodyguard. Reporters camped outside his school, fans flocked to training, and teachers had to remind classmates not to disturb him. The hype had made normal teenage life impossible. A bodyguard for a schoolboy footballer.
He Set Multiple Records as a Teenager
Martin Ødegaard made his first-team debut at just 15 years and 118 days old, youngest ever in Norway’s top division. Just 135 days later, he debuted for Norway’s senior team, becoming the country’s youngest-ever international. He also holds the record for youngest player to feature in a UEFA European Championship qualifying match. A record-breaking teenager.
A Real Madrid Prodigy at 16
In January 2015, just after turning 16, Ødegaard signed for Real Madrid. He made his first-team debut in May 2016 at 16 years and 157 days old, coming on for Cristiano Ronaldo. It made him Real Madrid’s youngest-ever debutant. His father’s contract was allegedly worth £2.7 million, roughly 10 times the expected rate.
The ‘Shy Little Kid’ Press Conference
Ødegaard described his Real Madrid unveiling as “basically a meme” of a “shy little kid” trapped in “the hype machine.” He had rushed straight from Norway without time to shower and was worried about his hair looking unkempt as 40 TV cameras filmed him. An awkward moment captured forever.
Ronaldo, Modrić, and Kroos Took Care of Him
At 16, Ødegaard couldn’t speak Spanish. At Real Madrid, he found a few players who could communicate in English: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Toni Kroos. He has praised them for being “very kind” and taking “extra care of me in the beginning,” giving him advice and helping him settle in. Legends with a heart.
He ‘Signed Himself’ for Arsenal in a Video Game
Ødegaard has revealed a strange connection with Arsenal that predates his actual move. He wasn’t big on video games, but the one exception was Football Manager, where he always chose to manage Arsenal and his first move was always to buy himself. Years later, that fantasy became reality. A dream coded in pixels.
He Has a Business Administration Degree
Despite turning professional as a teenager and moving to Real Madrid at 16, Ødegaard prioritised his education. He earned a degree in Business Administration and Management, balancing his studies with his football career. A footballer with a head for numbers and a degree to fall back on.
His Father Was His Coach and Biggest Influence
Ødegaard’s father, Hans Erik, was a former footballer and played a crucial role in his development. He was Ødegaard’s coach as a child, and Martin would go to watch his father’s games from an early age. Hans Erik later became the manager of Lillestrøm in Norway. A father-son footballing bond.
Lived and Breathed Football as a Child
By age 3 or 4, Ødegaard was already obsessed with football. He started playing for local club Drammen Strong at just four years old. A new pitch was built right next to where he lived, so he and his friends spent all their time there. He has said that “every part of my life was football.”
Accidentally Hit a Police Officer with a Ball
During Arsenal’s victory parade, Ødegaard was on the open-top bus celebrating. He tried to head a ball down to the crowd below but misjudged it and accidentally hit a police officer standing on the ground directly on the head. The incident became an amusing footnote to the celebrations.
FAQs
Q. Which club does Martin Ødegaard captain?
A. Ødegaard is the captain of Arsenal.
Q. At what age did Martin Ødegaard make his senior debut?
A. Ødegaard made his senior debut at the age of 15.
Q. When did Martin Ødegaard join Arsenal permanently?
A. Ødegaard signed for Arsenal permanently in August 2021.
Q. Which trophy did Martin Ødegaard win with Real Sociedad?
A. Ødegaard won the Copa del Rey in 2019.
Q. What record did Martin Ødegaard set for Norway?
A. Ødegaard became Norway’s youngest-ever senior international at age 15.
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