Former Real Madrid manager, Rafa Benitez, has revealed why he did not afford Martin Odegaard much game time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Norwegian midfielder failed to breakthrough at the LaLiga outfit when the Spanish manager was in charge of Los Blancos for a seven-month period between 2015 and 2016.
Los Blancos had signed Odegaard for a reported €4 million from Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset in 2015, aged just 16, and he trained with the first team and Castilla.
The Norwegian youngster’s career never took off under Benitez or his successor at the club, Carlo Ancelotti, despite being highly regarded.
Speaking with VG, Benitez revealed that the midfielder had come into a very good Madrid team at a very young age and could not break in.
“I’d say he’s been very matured. I like the way he behaves. He has personality and is a real leader.
“In Real Madrid, he was too young in a team of big names. But I’m not surprised, but very happy that he has taken those steps,” Benitez said.
