Sport nationArsenal captain credits Real Madrid stint for success: “Wouldn’t have reached the level I have today”
Martin Odegaard joined Real Madrid Castilla from Strømsgodset in January 2015. He made his debut for the Merengues’ first team in the same season, but the years that followed were turbulent.
The Norweigan international soon began an endless set of loan moves to clubs including SC Heerenveen, Vitesse, and Real Sociedad before permanently moving to Arsenal in 2021. The Gunners shelled out a whopping €35 million for his signing at the time.
The 24-year-old is now a regular starter for Mikel Arteta’s side and is the captain of the Premier League giants. In addition, he is a key element in the Norweigan international setup which also boats names including Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland.
Ahead of his clash against Spain in the EURO qualifiers, the former Real Madrid star spoke in an interview with AS where he detailed his time at the club and how it felt to don such a prestigious shirt.
“Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so the pressure is the most there,” he said, discussing what it means to play for the Merengues.
Odegaard left Real Madrid in 2021. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Arsenal star was then asked why he did not stay longer in the Spanish capital. While he emphasised that he did not regret his decision, he had only words of admiration for his spell at Real Madrid.
“My time in Madrid was good. It was a positive stage. I have learned to mature and it has been a great learning, but I needed to play more. I am happy with the decision and how it went.”
“If I hadn’t gone through Madrid, I wouldn’t have reached the level I have today. Madrid is the largest club in the world and so is the pressure there,” he added.
A report from AS has confirmed that Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is well and truly aware of the fact that Real Madrid are tracking his progress and while Kylian Mbappe happens to be Florentino Perez’s first choice, nothing is certain at the moment.
It’s no secret that a lot is going on at Real Madrid at the moment and towards the end of the season, the management will find itself surrounded by several questions that will need immediate addressing.
At the moment, Mbappe continues to hold the edge above Haaland, but it must be noted that Madrid are looking for a centre-forward and not a left-winger. If Mbappe’s transfer does come to fruition, there might be questions regarding his position.
In any way, Vinicius Jr. has already expressed that he hopes to play with the Frenchman one day as he is currently the best player of the current generation.
“Here, everyone wants to play with Kylian. I hope it happens one day. He is one of the best players, perhaps the best of all today. He is at a level of his own,” Vinicius stated.
Madrid in favour of Mbappe over Haaland
It must be noted that the Manchester City forward possesses a release clause that will become active next summer, rumoured to surpass a staggering €200 million euros (the exact sum remains undisclosed).
Real Madrid will prefer Kylian Mbappe over Erling Haaland
Now it has come to light that Real Madrid is keenly observing his situation and the forward is aware of all the happenings. However, as far as Perez is concerned, while he has long harboured ambitions of securing Mbappe, past encounters have taught Madrid that certainty eludes this pursuit.
Simultaneously, there’s a growing inclination within the club in favour of Mbappe’s arrival as well, supported notably by Vinicius.
This endorsement, however, is not without its ironies, as the prospect of the Frenchman joining the ranks could potentially diminish Brazilian’s prominence, influence, and even his time on the field.
A board member has already had his say
Above all, even Jose Manuel Otero, one of the members of the board of directors at Real Madrid, recently explained why Mbappe will be better suited at Madrid and not Haaland.
“For Real Madrid’s game, Mbappe is better suited than Haaland,” he said.
“Haaland demands that the entire team play for him so that he can score. That, in closed teams, sometimes scores a goal. Madrid has to open the defences with tremendously skilled players,” he added.
All these incidents point to one thing that come summer, Madrid will prefer going for Mbappe and only if they fail to acquire the Frenchman, then only will they approach Haaland because, after all, they will need a striker.
Arsenal captain credits Real Madrid stint for success: “Wouldn’t have reached the level I have today”
Martin Odegaard joined Real Madrid Castilla from Strømsgodset in January 2015. He made his debut for the Merengues’ first team in the same season, but the years that followed were turbulent.
The Norweigan international soon began an endless set of loan moves to clubs including SC Heerenveen, Vitesse, and Real Sociedad before permanently moving to Arsenal in 2021. The Gunners shelled out a whopping €35 million for his signing at the time.
The 24-year-old is now a regular starter for Mikel Arteta’s side and is the captain of the Premier League giants. In addition, he is a key element in the Norweigan international setup which also boats names including Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland.
Ahead of his clash against Spain in the EURO qualifiers, the former Real Madrid star spoke in an interview with AS where he detailed his time at the club and how it felt to don such a prestigious shirt.
“Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so the pressure is the most there,” he said, discussing what it means to play for the Merengues.
Odegaard left Real Madrid in 2021. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Arsenal star was then asked why he did not stay longer in the Spanish capital. While he emphasised that he did not regret his decision, he had only words of admiration for his spell at Real Madrid.
“My time in Madrid was good. It was a positive stage. I have learned to mature and it has been a great learning, but I needed to play more. I am happy with the decision and how it went.”
“If I hadn’t gone through Madrid, I wouldn’t have reached the level I have today. Madrid is the largest club in the world and so is the pressure there,” he added.
A report from AS has confirmed that Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is well and truly aware of the fact that Real Madrid are tracking his progress and while Kylian Mbappe happens to be Florentino Perez’s first choice, nothing is certain at the moment.
It’s no secret that a lot is going on at Real Madrid at the moment and towards the end of the season, the management will find itself surrounded by several questions that will need immediate addressing.
At the moment, Mbappe continues to hold the edge above Haaland, but it must be noted that Madrid are looking for a centre-forward and not a left-winger. If Mbappe’s transfer does come to fruition, there might be questions regarding his position.
In any way, Vinicius Jr. has already expressed that he hopes to play with the Frenchman one day as he is currently the best player of the current generation.
“Here, everyone wants to play with Kylian. I hope it happens one day. He is one of the best players, perhaps the best of all today. He is at a level of his own,” Vinicius stated.
Madrid in favour of Mbappe over Haaland
It must be noted that the Manchester City forward possesses a release clause that will become active next summer, rumoured to surpass a staggering €200 million euros (the exact sum remains undisclosed).
Real Madrid will prefer Kylian Mbappe over Erling Haaland
Now it has come to light that Real Madrid is keenly observing his situation and the forward is aware of all the happenings. However, as far as Perez is concerned, while he has long harboured ambitions of securing Mbappe, past encounters have taught Madrid that certainty eludes this pursuit.
Simultaneously, there’s a growing inclination within the club in favour of Mbappe’s arrival as well, supported notably by Vinicius.
This endorsement, however, is not without its ironies, as the prospect of the Frenchman joining the ranks could potentially diminish Brazilian’s prominence, influence, and even his time on the field.
A board member has already had his say
Above all, even Jose Manuel Otero, one of the members of the board of directors at Real Madrid, recently explained why Mbappe will be better suited at Madrid and not Haaland.
“For Real Madrid’s game, Mbappe is better suited than Haaland,” he said.
“Haaland demands that the entire team play for him so that he can score. That, in closed teams, sometimes scores a goal. Madrid has to open the defences with tremendously skilled players,” he added.
All these incidents point to one thing that come summer, Madrid will prefer going for Mbappe and only if they fail to acquire the Frenchman, then only will they approach Haaland because, after all, they will need a striker.
Sport nation
Amina Umar
Sport Nation 2