Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard shares the troubles he faced as a young player

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has opened up about his experiences as a young player at Real Madrid, revealing the unique challenges and “unreal moments” he encountered during his formative years.

Speaking about the attention he received as a teenager, Ødegaard admitted, “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.”

However, the Norwegian midfielder emphasized that his age became less of a factor as he gained experience and minutes. “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.”

Ødegaard fondly recalled the opportunity to share the pitch with some of the world’s greatest players. “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.”

Ødegaard’s journey at Real Madrid, marked by both the pressures of being a young prodigy and the privilege of playing alongside legendary figures, shaped his development as a player and a person. His experiences at the Santiago Bernabeu have undoubtedly contributed to his leadership qualities and determination to succeed at the highest level, which he now brings to Arsenal.

Despite the challenges of living under a microscope, Ødegaard emerged as a talented footballer, and his time at Real Madrid undoubtedly played a pivotal role in his journey to becoming the captain of a Premier League powerhouse.