They say a lot can happen in six months.
Never has that adage fit more aptly, than to describe just what Martin Ødegaard has been through.
Six months ago, he was a 15 year old, wondering how he’d juggle exam preparation and football. Six months later, he stands boldly with Florentino Perez, presented as Real Madrid’s newest signing.
A gargantuan achievement for any footballer, let alone one at 16.
2014 proved a whirlwind year for the young Norwegian. When you look at the greats, and the defining moments of their career, they usually comes when they make their second or third signing to a big club. It happened with Zidane to Real, Henry to Arsenal, Buffon to Juve, the list is endless. When you see a 15 year old making his club and national team debut in a space of 3 months however, you’re forced to re-evaluate.
In a span of six months, the young Norwegian has spun a irresistible web around himself. Living every teenage football fan’s dream, was just another day in the life of the young Norwegian. Giving exclusive trials at Bayern, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid- simply living the impossible dream.
Impossible dreams do come to an end, but for young Ødegaard, that dream is far from over. Having the ability to pick between Europe’s greatest footballing powerhouses,Ødegaard chose Real Madrid.
A choice, that has had many peculiarly perplexed.
On one hand, it’s easy to see why he chose Los Blancos, it’s very easy.
They are the current champions of Europe, have a proven pedigree of the world’s best players and a following, that is amongst the largest on the world. They have all the money in the world, to train the best players from all over the world.
More importantly, the youth set-up at Real Madrid has been a peculiar omission in their otherwise endless list of achievements. Despite Iker Casillas being the only long serving memeber of the team, to emerge from the youth set-up, many current greats of the sport, began their journeys at the Castilla. The likes of Borja Valero, Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo and past greats such as Javi and Luis Garcia had all begun their careers at Real Madrid’s second club. In addition to these, Players like Dani Carvajal, Jesé Rodriguez, Nacho Fernandez and Casemiro, have all got run-ins with the first team. Some of whom have gone to establish starting births at their club as well.
With all the glamour of the youth system however, lies an inconvenient truth; it’s hardly a sustainable system of development. Flashback to 2002, Perez’ first stint in charge saw the birth of he Galacticos. A system, wherein the worlds best in every position would come together, and form the world’s best team. Along with this, Perez wanted to incorporate the youth, with the established stars, to give a learning experience like no other. What was labelled the Zidane y Pavones system (after Zinedine Zidane and youth product Francisco Pavones) was ultimately flawed. The inability to blood-in the youth, left Real with a bastion of ageing superstars, all of whom had seen their best years. The crux was, that they felt they could get away with paying their youth close to nothing, while continually overpaying their big name signings.
Ødegaard would be wise however to consider the example of Asier Illaramendi.
Bought for a whopping 35 million Euros last summer, Illaramendi was deemed my many critics as the natural heir to Xabi Alonso, both in terms of ability and facial hair. His signing, along with U-21 compatriot Isco, was seen as a move to secure Madrid’s midfield for may years to come. However, Illara’s chances to shine has been far and few between.
But his chances have been limited at the Bernabeu. Even with Luka Modric injured at the moment, Isco has been hoisted into a deeper midfield role to avoid Illarramendi playing.
Such a fate doesn’t necessarily await the young Norwegian, but he must be alive to the fact that Madrid’s mind can change every milli-second.
Madrid’s attention has moved on from Illaramendi, as Perez aims to retrace his steps and not commit the same errors that plagued his first pool of Galacticos
Pete Jenson has suggested in The Independent that President Perez’s new obsession is finding the next Galactico before they’re a Galactico—saving himself money, but also having Madrid take the credit for the player’s development.
Ødegaard however will not slot into the starting XI, as his wage packet of 80k a week might lead you to believe. Being an active member of Zidane’s Castilla would provide the perfect arena for the young Norwegian. His ability far exceeds anyone close to his age, and it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see him get a few sub appearances for the first team.
However, if there becomes a time when it looks like Ødegaard will not be the new Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi—however good he is, replicating their levels will be tough—then the club will waste no time in moving him on. They’ve done it with many others, and will continue to do so.
Odegaard however, harbours little reservation. The awareness he has for a man of his age may even lead you to believe that he’ll be the worlds best a lot sooner than most believe. He accepts his position at Castilla and admits that if Carlo Ancelotti deems fit, he’ll happily seize his opportunity.
Just because he’s good at 16, doesn’t mean he’ll still be good when he leaves his teens behind. Just because he’s signed for Real Madrid, it doesn’t mean he’s a superstar. The likes of Sergio Canales, Sahin, Robben, Huntelaar, Alvaro Morata and Deigo Lopes know exactly what Madrid is capable of, in the blink of an eye.
The Phantom Forward 