"Selling Odegaard was the best thing for Madrid and for him"

Odegaard is excelling at Arsenal and, for the Norway coach, that is something the player will always have Real Madrid to thank for. He believes that the club took advantage of his sale two years ago, but in the end it is the player who has benefited.

"It was very good for Martin's development, and Real Madrid have managed without him. They have some very promising young midfielders, two Frenchmen who have done very well, and veterans who are keeping up the level. Selling him at that time was the right decision for the club and even more so for him," he said.

Solbakken, whose national team are currently in Marbella to prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifier match against Spain, believes, however, that if Odegaard had stayed at Real Madrid, he could be captain as he is now at Arsenal, where he has become one of the stars of the Premier League.

The Norwegian coach stressed that he has "alternatives" to cover the unexpected absence of his top star, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who left the training camp after failing to recover from pubic discomfort and will not be able to play against Spain or three days later against Georgia.