Martin Odegaard has been exceptional for Arsenal this season, as they look to win their first Premier League title in almost two decades. Not only has the Norwegian international been brilliant in the middle of the park for the Premier League leaders, but he has also been captaining the side. Unsurprisingly, many have started to question whether Real Madrid made a mistake by letting him leave and not giving a proper chance to shine in the Royal White jersey.
Odegaard was very highly rated when he arrived at Santiago Bernabeu as a teenager. Hopes and expectations were that he would develop into a first-team regular. That did not happen.
He had some decent spells out on loan but never managed to score or assist at the senior level for Real Madrid, in the handful of chances that he got. So, when the club agreed a deal with Arsenal for the Norwegian midfielder, it was not seen as a huge blow for Los Blancos.
Now though, it feels like the club might have made a mistake. On current form, Odegaard would have walked into the Real Madrid midfield. And still just 24 years of age, he could have been a part of the starting XI for years to come.
Odegaard makes huge claim about time at Real Madrid
It looks like Odegaard did not really enjoy the Spanish media. He wrote in The Players’ Tribune:
"I remember reading a headline like: “NOW IT’S MAKE OR BREAK TIME FOR MARTIN ØDEGAARD”And I’m like, make or break? I’m 18 years old!Maybe if I’d been Spanish, I might have been given a bit more time to grow. Honestly, I don’t know. In the end, it’s just the nature of the hype machine. There is no in-between in modern football."
He further went on to add about his time at Real Madrid though:
"Listen, I want to make it clear that I am not complaining about my time at Real Madrid. Not at all. Going to Madrid was a good thing for me. I learned so much about what it takes to reach the top. I watched, trained and learned from the best players in the world, my idols. I played at the Bernabeu. I learned to be tough and to face challenges. It’s part of who I am now. It’s the reason I’m where I am today."
What is done is done. Odegaard probably was not given enough chances at Real Madrid to show what he is capable of. But at the same time, one needs to recognise that it is extremely difficult to get game time ahead of some of the greatest players in history.
It is great to see that Odegaard has finally found his best, after moving to Arsenal. We can only wish him the best of luck moving forward.