Martin Ödegaard has said goodbye to Real Madrid in a statement on Instagram. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder completed his transfer to Arsenal on Friday, which pays just under 40 million euros. Ödegaard also lashes out at the Spanish press in his statement, which allegedly spread untruths about him.
Odegaard has already been loaned out to Arsenal for the past six months, which has now permanently recruited him. “Nowadays people talk a lot about me and my reasons for making a transfer,” said the Norwegian captain. “I just want to say that almost everything they say isn’t the truth. I’m sorry the press is saying things that aren’t true because a lot of people honestly think they are. I have my reasons for leaving , I know what the truth is and what happened and that’s why I think it’s for the best.”
In his statement, Ödegaard does not clarify exactly which stories are bothering him, but it is probably his motives for leaving Real Madrid. So wrote ASH among other things that Ödegaard was not prepared to the Royal to fight for his place. In the sports program El Chiringuito it was even said several times that the attacking midfielder has a weak mentality.
Ödegaard says goodbye to the supporters of Real. “More than six and a half years ago I signed for Real Madrid and fulfilled a big dream,” said the former mercenary of Vitesse and sc Heerenveen. “Being able to wear the white shirt, play in the Santiago Bernabéu and play in La Liga. I couldn’t be prouder. I came here when I was 16 years old and I’ve had the chance to learn from the best in the world and my idols. I learned a lot and enjoyed the journey. I am grateful for everything that happened to me and everything I learned.”
In the end, the Scandinavian only made eleven official appearances for Real Madrid. “I want to thank all the people who helped me to improve and grow in Madrid. Coaches, teammates, physios, people from the club and the fans. Thank you! I’ve had good times and bad, as always in life and in football. It has made me much stronger and better prepared for what is to come.”