Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid comes on for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Camera IconMartin Odegaard of Real Madrid comes on for Cristiano Ronaldo. Credit: Getty Images

Norway confirm squad to face Socceroos: Martin Odegaard in line to play against Australia

FOX SPORTS

NORWAY have confirmed their squad to face the Socceroos in Australia’s World Cup warm up friendly on Saturday morning AEDT.

The Norwegians didn’t make it to Russia 2018 but are still set to play two March friendlies – including against Albania – and have included teen sensation Martin Odegaard in their squad before the Socceroos match in Oslo.

“Norway will be playing in their backyard on a Friday night, they’re not going to the World Cup but they have named a strong squad,” explained Daniel Garb on Fox Sports News 500.

“A player from Bournemouth – Josh King – hasn’t been picked but beside that it’s a pretty good squad, including Martin Odegaard who was the teen sensation when he burst onto the scenes a few years ago and was signed by Real Madrid.

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Martin Odegaard of Norway.
Camera IconMartin Odegaard of Norway. Credit: Getty Images
Martin Odegaard of Heerenveen in action during the Dutch Eredivisie.
Camera IconMartin Odegaard of Heerenveen in action during the Dutch Eredivisie. Credit: Getty Images

“He’s perhaps faded a little bit but he’s one of several talented players in the Norway squad.”

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Odegaard, 19, holds the world record for being the youngest ever player to debut for his senior national team at the age of 15 years and 253 days in a friendly against the UAE.

He is also the youngest ever player to feature in a Euros qualifier and has made 10 international appearances in his young career.

More recently, Odegaard has been earning rave reviews for SC Heerenveen, on loan from Real Madrid after he struggled to crack the Spanish giant’s first team following his €4m move as a 16-year-old.

Odegaard, an attacking midfielder, has gone on to make 41 appearances in the Netherlands with Heerenveen after joining on loan in 2017.

Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid comes on for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015.
Camera IconMartin Odegaard of Real Madrid comes on for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015. Credit: Getty Images

Odegaard isn’t the only big name in the squad, with former Arsenal and West Ham defender Havard Nordtveit and Fulham’s Stefan Johansen also included.

One player to miss out is Bournemouth’s King, who has cut from the squad after previously being called up. Also not making the cut is Haitam Aleesami (Palermo) and Crystal Palace’s Alexander Sorloth.

FULL NORWAY SQUAD:

Sten Grytebust, Rune Jarstein, Orjan Nyland, Tore Reginiussen, Havard Nordtveit, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Sigurd Rosted, Jonas Svensson, Birger Meling, Omar Eladellaoui, Martin Linnes, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Martin Odegaard, Stefan Johansen, Bjorn Maars Johnsen, Tarik Elyounoussi, Iver Fossum, Markus Henriksen, Kristian Selnaes, Mats Moller Daehli, Fredrik Midtsjo

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