, signed with one of the world's most famous clubs.
Real Madrid officially announced what had been assumed all week when a short press release published early Thursday morning said the Spanish super-club and Odegaard's Norwegian team had agreed to an undisclosed transfer fee to secure the wunderkind's services.
Let's get to know world soccer's hottest young prospect.
Signing with Real Madrid obviously boosts Odegaard's mainstream profile immeasurably, but ardent soccer fans have been aware of his potential for some months. Last August, at 15 years old, he became the youngest player ever to suit up for Norway's senior national team — seeing the field in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates, and breaking a record that had stood for more than 100 years.
Also while 15, Odegaard became the youngest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship qualifier, representing Norway against Bulgaria, and he made his professional debut with Norwegian side Stromsgodset IF. Not a bad year.
Before finally signing with Real Madrid, Odegaard had been linked to a host of high-profile clubs, including FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. He watched a Real Madrid match in Madrid on Jan. 7:
The attacking midfielder stands about 5-foot-7, and one Norwegian soccer writer describes his nimble play in that country's pro league as being like "a ballet dancer among elephants."
That's high praise, but the video embedded atop this post should give some idea as to what inspires it.
Earlier this month, Odegaard was rubbing shoulders with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Now, he'll be rubbing shoulders with Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo who reportedly had some very kind words for the 16-year-old star.
Odegaard's friend and Stromsgodset teammate Martin Ovenstad tipped off the Real Madrid move earlier this week, according to ESPN FC.
"He told me that he had a chat with Cristiano, who told him, 'In a few years I will stop scoring so many goals, and you will have to score them instead,'" Ovenstad reportedly told a Norwegian TV station of his Madrid-bound mate.
American soccer fans who recall Freddy Adu know full well that hype as a teen does not guarantee future success. Similar examples abound in world soccer, but for now at least, Martin Odegaard is a name you need to know.
Posted by , Published at 5:08 AM and have
0
comments
No comments:
Post a Comment