Martin Ødegaard (born 17 December 1998) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains both Premier League club Arsenal and the Norway national team. A child prodigy who made his senior debut at 15 and signed for Real Madrid at 16, Ødegaard endured a series of loans before finding his permanent home at Arsenal. Under Mikel Arteta, he developed into one of the world's best playmakers and a model captain. By 2026, Ødegaard was widely recognized as the Premier League's most effective presser and creative hub. He led Arsenal to consecutive title challenges against Manchester City, earning acclaim for his vision, work rate, and leadership. Despite his club success, he faced the frustration of Norway's "Golden Generation" (alongside Haaland) missing out on major international tournaments like Euro 2024.