‘One of the best’ – Carlo Ancelotti on Arsenal star Martin Ødegaard’s Real Madrid exit | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has on Monday provided his take on the decision of Martin Ødegaard to depart the club for Arsenal.

This of course comes as Real Madrid prepare to lock horns with their former midfielder on Tuesday night.

Los Blancos are primed to make the trip to north London tomorrow evening, for the first leg of a highly-anticipated Champions League quarter-final tie with Arsenal.

Expected to play a leading role for Mikel Arteta’s side will be the aforementioned Ødegaard, who has long established himself as one of the Gunners’ star performers.

The Norwegian international brought a permanent close to his time on the books of Real Madrid in penning terms at The Emirates back in the summer of 2021.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference on Monday, it therefore came as little surprise when Ødegaard’s name was put to Carlo Ancelotti.

And Real Madrid’s headmaster made use of the opportunity to praise the midfielder in his response, explaining:

“Martin Odegaard leaving Real Madrid? There was no room for him to prove his quality. And he decided to go elsewhere, for the chance to play. He went to one of the best clubs in the Champions League.

“The talent he has now is what he had at 16. Then he had the character, the courage to leave. Now he’s one of the best in Europe.”

Conor Laird – GSFN