As a die-hard football fan, I'm always curious about what the players say and do. Recently, I read an interview with Odegaard on Arsenal's official website, and what he said as captain really touched me.
Odegaard recalls his football beginnings, having spent his childhood with local Norwegian side Drammen Strong, and although he was one of the most talented players in the squad, he never had the chance to captain the team because his father was a coach. He didn't mind that, but felt it was fairer. This humility and impartiality is an example to me.
Odegaard is now close to every player at Arsenal. He singled out his friendship with Elneny, but stressed that he has a good relationship with all his team-mates. They often do team-building activities together, such as barbecues, and everyone brings their families, which makes their relationship more like family. For a team, this deep emotion and understanding is very important.
Odegaard also stressed the importance of diversity in the squad. He believes that players from different backgrounds can bring new perspectives and experiences to the table by learning and communicating together. As a young team, Arsenal attract many players of all ages and experiences, which is crucial for the development of the team.
His career has given him the opportunity to learn about different cultures and ways of thinking. Through football, he learned Spanish and Dutch, and even some Portuguese from Brazilian players. This kind of language learning is not only an improvement of personal ability, but also a respect and understanding of different cultures.
What impressed me the most was that, as captain, Odegaard wanted to instill team spirit in his team-mates. He believes that fighting for each other and working together is the most important part of modern football. In his opinion, in the past, football may have been able to accommodate one or two players with outstanding individual performances, but modern football requires the whole team to work together.
Odegaard also mentioned the importance of the staff behind the club. They are not on the pitch, but they are also crucial to the team's success. From equipment managers to training ground staff, their work provides a solid foundation for the team's operations.
As a football fan, I feel very much in agreement with Odegaard's views and experiences. In an era where individual performance comes first, he reminds us that teamwork and mutual respect are the true keys to success. Under his leadership, Arsenal is moving in a cohesive, diverse and inclusive direction. For those of us who love football, it's not just about supporting a team, it's about inheriting the spirit of football.