Martin Odegaard doesn’t turn 17 until next month but the Real Madrid starlet made the starting line-up for Norway’s Euro 2016 play-off qualifier against Hungary on Sunday night.
Making his eighth appearance for his national team, Odegaard played the first half and showed a few neat touches but was subbed off at half-time by Per-Mathias Hogmo.
Scroll down this page to watch Odegaard’s individual highlights from the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, check out the Twitter reaction below it and don’t forget to leave your comments at the bottom of the article.
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Odegaard, according to Opta stats obtained by Goal, made 28 passes - 92 per cent of which were successful - created one chance and made one tackle.
It wasn’t a vintage display from the teenager, who struggled to make his presence felt during the first half, and questions surely have to be asked about whether he should have started in such a big match - especially when you consider he doesn’t play for Real Madrid’s first-team.
Fans react to Odegaard performance
Odegaard may need to leave Madrid on loan
Norway lost the match 2-1, meaning Odegaard will not feature at next summer’s European Champions in France.
In order to avoid running the risk of his development stalling, it’s important that Odegaard gets some minutes out on loan at some point during 2016.
Rafael Benitez does not believe that Odegaard is ready for first-team action at the Bernabeu - and that stance is entirely understandable - and he’s clearly too advanced to be playing for the Castilla every week.
A loan to another Spanish club - preferably a Madrid-based club, such as Getafe, so he won’t need to relocate - could be exactly what he needs at this stage of his career.
Is Martin Odegaard the real deal or merely another overrated teen sensation? Have your say by leaving a comment in the box below!
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