Martin Odegaard: the latest Scandi-drama to grip Europe | CNN

Martin Odegaard: the latest Scandi-drama to grip Europe

By Susie East
2 minute read
Updated 12:30 PM EST, Fri January 23, 2015
Martin Odegaard became Real Madrid's youngest debutant when he replaced world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo in the club's final match of the 2014-15 season against Getafe, aged 16 years, five months and six days.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Martin Odegaard became Real Madrid's youngest debutant when he replaced world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo in the club's final match of the 2014-15 season against Getafe, aged 16 years, five months and six days.
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
Martin Odegaard came on as a substitute during Norway's 2014 clash with Bulgaria to become the youngest player ever in European Championships qualifying history at 15 years and 300 days.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Martin Odegaard came on as a substitute during Norway's 2014 clash with Bulgaria to become the youngest player ever in European Championships qualifying history at 15 years and 300 days.
AFP/Getty Images
Odegaard was given his senior debut for Norwegian club Stromsgodet at the age of 15 by coach Ronny Delia, who has since moved to Scottish champion Celtic.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Odegaard was given his senior debut for Norwegian club Stromsgodet at the age of 15 by coach Ronny Delia, who has since moved to Scottish champion Celtic.
Vegard Wivestad/AFP/Getty Images
Martin's father Hans Erik played for Strømsgodset for 11 seasons. He now is overseeing his son's football career. "Martin has always -- and still loves to train," says Hans Erik. "For him training is fun."
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Martin's father Hans Erik played for Strømsgodset for 11 seasons. He now is overseeing his son's football career. "Martin has always -- and still loves to train," says Hans Erik. "For him training is fun."
Audun Braastad/AFP/Getty Images
Hans Erik admits his son is a better player than he was -- "but don't tell him that," he quips.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Hans Erik admits his son is a better player than he was -- "but don't tell him that," he quips.
Audun Braastad/AFP/Getty Images
At the age of 15 years and 253 days, Odegaard became Norway's youngest football international in a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
At the age of 15 years and 253 days, Odegaard became Norway's youngest football international in a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates.
Terje Pedersen/AFP/Getty Images
Odegaard was the youngest player to represent his country since 1910. "The good thing about Martin is that he always want to be better and is never satisfied," says Hans Erik.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Odegaard was the youngest player to represent his country since 1910. "The good thing about Martin is that he always want to be better and is never satisfied," says Hans Erik.
Terje Pedersen/AFP/Getty Images
After August's UAE game, Odegaard played for Norway's Under-21 team in a 2-1 defeat by Portugal in his home city of Drammen.
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
After August's UAE game, Odegaard played for Norway's Under-21 team in a 2-1 defeat by Portugal in his home city of Drammen.
Terje Pedersen/AFP/Getty Images
Hans Erik says he has always encouraged Martin (pictured center) to "want the ball and to never be afraid of making mistakes and always try and be creative."
The nurturing of a football prodigy —
Hans Erik says he has always encouraged Martin (pictured center) to "want the ball and to never be afraid of making mistakes and always try and be creative."
Hans-Erik Odegaard
Martin Odegaard: The nurturing of a football prodigy

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Story highlights

16-year-old Martin Odegaard has been snapped up by Real Madrid

Odegaard "fever" spreads across Norway with hopes pinned on the youngster's success

"It's a dream come true" says Odegaard at the press conference on Thursday

CNN  — 

It’s a thriller that reads like a script from one of those Scandinavian dramas that have entranced global television audiences in recent years.

A 16-year-old Norwegian soccer sensation – Martin Odegaard – is set for superstardom after being headhunted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Much is expected of Odegaard, with pretty much every European elite football club rumored to have expressed an interest in securing his signature.

But will Odegaard’s tale have a happy ending? Spanish giants Real Madrid are hoping so after swooping in for the kill.

“It’s an honor and a dream come true,” Odegaard told the Real website as he was unveiled by the Spanish club alongside one of the Real greats Emilio Butragueno, who labeled the Norwegian as “an extraordinary talent.”

“The reason I chose Real Madrid is because this team has the best conditions, both in sporting terms to develop as a player, and off the field to develop as a person,” added Odegaard.

While his tender age means he will initially enter Real Madrid’s B team – coached by French great Zinedine Zidane – it might not be too long before he’s wowing the crowd at the Spanish club’s Bernabeu stadium.

“Plan: Debut this season,” trumpeted Norway’s largest daily newspaper VG’s headline.

Odegaard’s success in Norway has snowballed quickly, with the Nordic nation gripped by his meteoric rise.

“Norway is hit by a serious, serious Odegaard-fever,” Norwegian News Agency’s Espen Hartvig told CNN.

“I would say that in general for the moment it is a kind of pride that little Norway and little Drammen (Odegaard’s home city) has produced a football talent like this.”

The fresh-faced forward, who has spent his entire career to date with Stromsgodset, debuted for Norway last year, becoming the youngest player to appear in a European Championship qualifier aged just 15 years and 300 days old.

“My goal is to become the best player possible,” said Odegaard. “It isn’t important if I play in the first or second team.

“It’s a major advantage having a second team of a really high level and with a coach who was one of the best players in the world, and it was also important in my decision,” added the Norwegian teenager, referring to Zidane.

Only time will tell – and Odegaard has a lot of it on his side.

Read: Odegaard makes history as European qualifying’s youngest player

Read: Martin Odegaard: European football’s most coveted 15-year-old