Cristiano Ronaldo's eight-year prediction on Martin Odegaard is finally coming true to Arsenal.
Odegaard joined Real Madrid when he was just 16-years-old back in 2015 but struggled to make a lasting impact at the Bernabeu Stadium before he eventually joined the Gunners on a short term loan last season before signing permanently last summer. The Norwegian international has since become a vital part of Mikel Arteta's side this term and has even worn the captain's armband in recent weeks - a testament to how highly the Arsenal boss rates the 23-year-old.
He has netted six goals and provided a further six assists in the Premier League this season whilst also boasting even more impressive underlying creative numbers, notching 6.3 xA (expected assists), 122 shot-creating actions and 67 key passes, as per fbref. The talented playmaker, who joined the club for just £30million, is finally beginning to fulfil his potential and prove Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo right in the process.
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During an interview with BT Sport back in 2015, Ronaldo was asked to name five players he thought would go on to enjoy stellar careers. "You see many players with potential," he replied.
"I will mention Martin Odegaard of Madrid for example, at 16 he's still young but you can see he's a very good player. He's a great player, I think he's a young boy, he can still grow. He has a good future ahead.
'We must give him time to learn, to take his best decisions. But I see a lot of potential in the player, he has got a good left foot."
