Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has named Norwegian teenager Martin Odegaard to his matchday squad against Almeria on Wednesday.
With Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale injured, and Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal suspended, the team is a little shorthanded and the manager has elected to call on the Norway international.
Ancelotti has also called up striker Borja Mayoral and midfielder Marcos Llorente from Real Madrid Castilla.
Earlier this month, Odegaard was benched by Castilla’s coach Zinedine Zidane because the midfielder had chosen to exclusively train with the club’s first team and was having trouble adjusting to his teammates on the reserve side.
The Norwegian teenager signed a six-year contract in January for a fee of around £2.3 million. His deal stipulates that he will play for Real Madrid Castilla, but the club must ensure the midfielder trains with the senior squad five days a week.
Since the player and the club were not able to come to an understanding, the coaching staff eventually came to the decision to demote Odegaard to the substitute’s bench.
Upon signing, Odegaard professed that joining Real Madrid was “the best option for the development of my career.”
Now, after four months, the 16-year-old could make his first team debut for the club against Almeria.
Programming note: Real Madrid vs. Almeria will be shown LIVE on Wednesday starting at 1:55pm EST on beIN SPORTS and fuboTV.
