{"id":1108479,"date":"2019-09-27T18:32:44","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T17:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1108479"},"modified":"2019-09-27T18:32:44","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T17:32:44","slug":"odegaard-real-madrid-flop-one-better-messi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/odegaard-real-madrid-flop-one-better-messi\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Odegaard: From Real Madrid flop to bettering Messi (sort of)"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to youth development the Dutch are often seen as the masters, a reputation that Martin Odegaard recently banked on and, since returning from his educational retreat, he’s been the talk of Spain.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Odegaard made global headlines in December 2014 when he opted to join Real Madrid after turning 16, at a time when it seemed practically all of Europe were vying for the Norwegian forward’s signature – including Ajax, who continue to churn out talented young footballers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7380470-emery-s-nba-chaos-could-let-man-utd-off-the-hook-unless-auba-keeps-dunking<\/p>\n

It was an understandable decision even if the pathway to regular first-team football was a pipe dream, at least short term. Odegaard grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo, so a chance to work – and study – alongside him wasn’t something he wasn’t going to pass up, even at the risk of harming of his maturation.<\/p>\n

Under successive administrations \u2013 Carlo Ancelotti and his successor Zinedine Zidane \u2013 he’d ultimately make two appearances in all competitions totalling a\u00a0meagre 122 minutes. It soon became real clear that Odegaard had to temporarily say goodbye to his decorated teammates for the sake of enjoying a similar career.<\/p>\n

Dutch education<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As far as those advising him were concerned, there was one league where Odegaard must call home – even if it should have been his next step after somewhat outgrowing Norway’s top division. Because of its reputation as a ‘developmental league’ \u2013 the unique selling point being the flourishing of talents in an attack-minded competition \u2013 the Eredivisie was earmarked as where the Drammen-born wonderkid must play.<\/p>\n

Heerenveen, responsible for producing Hakim Ziyech and where Klaas-Jan Huntelaar truly announced himself, signed Odegaard on an 18-month contract in January 2017 and the effects of playing on a weekly basis soon became apparent. He’d subsequently leave the Super Frisians bagging three goals across 43 outings whilst creating a further five for his teammates. A very modest return, but it was clear there was more to come.<\/p>\n

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10 – Martin \u00d8degaard became the second @MijnVitesse<\/a> player with 10 assists in an Eredivisie season this century, after Milot Rashica in 2016-17. Generous.<\/p>\n

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) May 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n