Martin Odegaard reveals why he chose Real Madrid over other European giants

Ironically, the dual position was a huge factor in the Norwegian prodigy's initial decision to join Los Blancos over other large teams.After joining his childhood club Stromsgodset at the age of 15, Odegaard immediately became the most sought-after player in European football in 2014.He was sought after by nearly every elite club in Europe, and the kid travelled to many clubs before deciding to join Real Madrid in January 2015, not long after turning 16.Odegaard rejected Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and even his present club Arsenal in favour of Real; while visiting the Gunners, Arsene Wenger even treated the player and his father to a steak meal.But Real prevailed in the election for two reasons. Odegaard's favourite player was already there at the Bernabeu, to start with. Second, it appeared as though the arrangement they suggested was a wise one.For The Players' Tribune, Odegaard stated that "Madrid is Madrid in the end." "They had the finest players in the world and were Champions League champions. I adored Isco back then because he was so skilled with the ball. One of my favourite athletes!The fact that Madrid had a B team where I could play competitive football right away was the very important aspect of their offer, though. And who is that team's manager? ZINADE ZIDANE He said, "It seemed like the whole deal."We agreed with the club that I would train with the first team every day.

We agreed with the club that I would practise with the first squad every day while playing a majority of my games for the B team. At the time, it sounded like a good idea, but as it turned out, I didn't fit in with either group.When Odegaard initially came in Spain, English-speaking players like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Cristiano Ronaldo took "special care" of him. However, the athlete said that in retrospect, dividing his time in this manner only served to hold him back.I didn't have a connection with the B team because I didn't spend much time with them. I was only a kid who came to train for the first squad. I didn't participate in any games. I had a slight sense of alienation. I was caught in the middle, he said."I stopped playing with the intensity that characterised my style of play. I played it too safe. Instead of genuinely playing my game, I was more concerned about not making mistakes. After a few years, I realised that I wasn't improving. I was attacked by the media for not living up to the anticipation right away. I was a simple mark."In modern football, there is no middle ground.

"Odegaard eventually regained his footing while on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, Heerenveen, and Real Sociedad; he even cut short his stint there to attempt to make it back in Madrid. But his prospects of acquiring more were thwarted by a COVID-19 infection at the start of the 2020–21 season, from which he hadn't fully healed by the time he was given back-to-back La Liga starts.He had to start searching elsewhere after making his choice. Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in January 2021, and a few months later, the agreement was made permanent. Since then, North London has given him the stability he was previously missing, and Odegaard is currently leading a squad that is on track to win the Premier League for the first time in 19 years, champions.Nevertheless, despite everything, he is not sorry he chose Real Madrid.He remarked, "I learnt so much about what it takes to go to the top. "I studied the greatest players in the world, my idols, and trained under them." At the Bernabeu, I performed. I gained the ability to persevere and take on hardships. "It's the reason I'm where I am now," he said. "It's a part of who I am now."