On Thursday, December 5, former Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez opened up about his decision to limit playing time for Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard during his brief tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ødegaard, who joined Real Madrid in 2015 for a reported €4 million from Norwegian club Strømsgodset at just 16 years old, failed to break into the first team under Benitez, despite being highly regarded. He spent much of his time training with the first team and playing for the B team, Castilla, but struggled to earn significant minutes.
In an interview with VG, Benitez explained that Ødegaard arrived at a star-studded Real Madrid squad at a very young age, making it difficult for him to find regular playing time.
“I’d say he’s been very mature. I like the way he behaves. He has personality and is a real leader,” Benitez said. “In Real Madrid, he was too young in a team of big names. But I’m not surprised, but very happy that he has taken those steps.”
Benitez’s comments reflect his belief that Ødegaard’s development was hindered by the competitive environment at one of the world’s top clubs, but he expressed his satisfaction with the midfielder’s progress since leaving Madrid.
