At the grand old age of 23, Martin Odegaard has been awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Norwegian Professional Football League.
The midfielder was handed the 2022 Kniksens Hederspris trophy after the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Bodo/Glimt in Norway.
Thursday’s match was the first club football that Odegaard had played in his homeland since he left his boyhood club Stromsgodset for Real Madrid in 2015. By that point, he’d already played regular football in Norway’s top flight after making his senior debut at the age of 13.
While things didn’t work out in Madrid, he still became the youngest player to ever represent the Spanish giants before enjoying fruitful spells on loan with Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad.
A permanent move to Arsenal came not long after he’d been elevated to the captaincy of his country and he’s since taken the armband at the Emirates. It’s been some journey and he’s clearly admired by his compatriots.
“In addition to being one of the world’s leading footballers, Martin Odegaard is a role model for all of us,” said Cato Haug, chairman of the Norwegian Premier League.
“We can all be proud to have such a player in the world’s toughest league that children and young people all over the world look up to.
“The respect the player earns among everyone is unique. An incredible number of hours have been put into training every year, whether it is under the auspices of the club or personal training. He shows great loyalty to the club and the team he plays for, and he always gives his all.
“He makes high demands both of himself and of everyone on the team. And without yelling, he has become a leadership figure.”
As you can understand, Odegaard was somewhat taken aback by the gong.
“I’m flabbergasted. I have to admit that. I didn’t expect this. It’s a bit surreal. It’s a great honour to receive this award.
“I’ve been through a lot. I broke through early and remember it like it was yesterday. Time flies. There have been ups and downs, but I feel like I’m making progress all the way.”
Bizarre, I thought lifetime achievement awards were given at the end of a career. Let’s hope this isn’t the case for our captain and let’s hope the success we’ve had with him as captain continues throughout his career.
It’s all uphill from here! 😉
He’s going extraterrestrial
🙏🏾
Super player but a rather daft trophy to award him at his tender age. Anyway, something else for the trophy cabinet.
Wonder if that trophy is meant to be a likeness of him. Looks a lot like Dolph Lundgren from his Rocky days. Maybe it was sculpted by the same chap who did the Ronaldo bust
Like Nobel of Peace to Obama for being elected.
I’m 48, and I’ve achieved nothing in life. I also have a cheeseburger for a head. But life, lemons, lemonade, and all that, it hasn’t stopped me from becoming a successful politician.
Better a cheeseburger for a head than a head of lettuce.
Well we all love you Mayor. That’s something.
He is Elite! So happy to have him setting an example for our young guns. This team is just soo damn likeable!! COYG
Congrats, Odegaard. The sky’s not the limit for you.
I just had a vision of him 15-20 years in the future, taking over the mantle, and becoming an Arsenal manager.
He just has all the qualities you want in a footballer and role model. Long may it continue.
To be a Arsenar manager, hw would have to drop the M from his firstname. I see no other way 😀