Odegaard wins prestigious Norwegian prize previously won by Haaland
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has won Norway’s prestigious Kniksens Hederspris award for his contribution to football in his home country.
The 23-year-old became a superstar in Norway as a child. He’s come a long way since then, and he’s now been awarded his country’s highest sporting honour.
Odegaard wins prestigious Norwegian award previously won by Erling Haaland
According to Arsenal’s official website, the Norwegian Professional Football League’s Kniksens Hederspris honor is awarded to “players who have made a significant contribution to Norwegian football”.
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Odegaard, who is Norway‘s youngest player and currently captain of the national team, was named this year’s recipient, two years after Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland scooped the award.
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Cato Haug, chairman of the Norwegian Premier League, said as quoted by Arsenal.com: “As well as being one of the best footballers in the world, Martin Odegaard is a role model for all of us.
“We can all be proud to have such a player in the toughest league in the world that children and young people around the world look up to.
“The respect the player earns among everyone is unique. An incredible number of hours are spent in training each year, whether under the aegis of the club or in personal training. He shows great loyalty to the club and the team he plays for, and he always gives his all.
“He is very demanding of himself and of everyone in the team. And without shouting, he has become a figurehead.
The insider’s perspective:
Odegaard is a truly phenomenal player.
The Norwegian has been absolutely brilliant for Arsenal since joining us on loan in January 2021. He has gone from strength to strength since that transfer became permanent, and since the start of this season he has achieved an all other level.
Almost everything in Arsenal’s final third comes through Odegaard. He’s a real threat in attack, and he’s one of the main reasons why Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have all thrived.
Arsenal next face Southampton and Odegaard is almost guaranteed to start. If he plays a good match, we should leave with a fairly comfortable victory.
