Martin Ødegaard: “I’ve played and started more than I expected in the first few games”

Martin Ødegaard is away on international duty with a young and exciting Norway team. His international teammates include the likes of Erling Haaland, Sander Berge, and new AC Milan winger, Jens Petter Hauge. After training today, the Real Madrid midfielder took some time to speak with the Norwegian press and answered some questions about his return to the Spanish capital.

“In principle, the agreement was there for me to spend two years at Real Sociedad, but I received a call from Real Madrid and they wanted me back. It was natural, it was not a drama. There was no big discussion. I have always had a goal and the dream of playing at Real Madrid,” Ødegaard told a Nettavisen reporter.

Ødegaard noted that Zidane did in fact call him and that he has been surprised by the amount of minutes he received at the start of the season. “The club and Zidane wanted me at Real Madrid, that’s all. Yes, I spoke with Zidane. I play where he tells me, and if I have the opportunity, I don’t care what position it is in,” Ødegaard explained. “I have played and been a starter more than I expected in the first few games,” the Norwegian revealed.

Ødegaard started the first two games of the season, but has subsequently been dropped to the bench with just around five minutes played in the following two matches. Despite this, the young midfielder appears to be happy with the relevant role he has been given early into the season and trusts that both Zidane and the club value him.