It was in 2015 that Martin Ødegaard, then only 16 years old, became the name on everyone’s footballing lips in Europe. The young Norwegian traded Strømsgodset for Real Madrid – and sky-high expectations followed like a letter in the mail.
However, the prodigy never had a really big breakthrough at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite all the attention, various loan spells followed instead before he finally ended up at Arsenal, where he has now grown into a world star.
And it’s in conversation with Eddie Nwaneri, the Gunners’ youngest-ever Premier League player, that Ødegaard admits all the focus on his young age and being constantly referred to as a “future star” in Spain was taxing.
– It was annoying. Everyone just saw me as the young guy, but you just want to be seen as a normal player. It’s natural that you get more attention when you play at such a young age, says Ødegaard on Arsenal’s own channels.
– But as soon as you get older and get to play more, then I think people forget your age and see your quality instead. They don’t care much about your age anymore and that’s the main thing.
Nwaneri, who made his Arsenal debut as a 15-year-old, agrees with his team-mate:
– It’s annoying because you just want to be recognized for playing, not just for your age. You want to be seen for the player you are too, says the 17-year-old.
Now 25-year-old Ødegaard came to Arsenal in 2021 and is now captain of the London gang.
