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Norway’s Martin Odegaard was only 16 when, in January 2015, he joined then-European champions Real Madrid from Stromgodset for a reported fee of £2.3m. Drawing comparisons with Lionel Messi, he had regardless taken what was perceived to be a risk – Sergio Canales was similarly once considered one of the world’s most promising young talents but, upon moving to the Santiago Bernabéu, his career stalled and he ultimately never quite fulfilled his remarkable potential.
Odegaard first appeared for Real Madrid Castilla, the ‘B’ team then coached by Zinedine Zidane, who has since started his second spell as the most decorated of club’s senior manager. Carlo Ancelotti, who then held that very position, said at the time of his arrival: “He is a kid with talent and personality.” Odegaard had by then become the youngest player to appear and score in the Norwegian Premier League – he scored five goals and contributed seven assists in 23 appearances for Stromsgodset – and will be competing for selection at the Bernabéu once he has returned from his loan spell at Liga rivals Real Sociedad, where he has so far impressed.