Martin Ødegaard
Footballer
Martin Ødegaard is a Norwegian attacking midfielder who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid, initially on loan in 2021. He became Norway captain that year and was appointed Arsenal’s men’s first-team captain in July 2022.
- Country
- Norway
- Club
- Arsenal
- Born
- 17 Dec 1998
Biography sources
Martin Ødegaard photos
Photo credits
- Martin Ødegaard in 2026 · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Helene and Martin on their wedding day. · Clara Mortensen / @claramortensen.wedding via @helenespilling · Instagram · @helenespilling ↗
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland with Norway’s starting eleven. · Bryan Berlin · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Helene and Martin leave their wedding in a vintage car. · Clara Mortensen / @claramortensen.wedding via @helenespilling · Instagram · @helenespilling ↗
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Luis Fernandez · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard in a photograph from the football archive. · Kjetil Eggen · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Licence
- Martin Ødegaard and Helene Spilling together at the Emirates. · Instagram · @odegaard.98 ↗
- Martin Ødegaard and Helene Spilling share an evening out. · Instagram · @odegaard.98 ↗
- Martin Ødegaard and Helene Spilling on holiday together. · Instagram · @odegaard.98 ↗
Career and background
Ødegaard has described his loans in the Netherlands as essential to his development after joining Real Madrid so young. At Heerenveen he learned to live independently and take responsibility; at Vitesse, coach Leonid Slutsky helped improve his decision-making and teamwork. When Arsenal later approached him, Mikel Arteta’s detailed explanation of his place in the team helped make the move feel right.Source: The Players’ Tribune · Martin Ødegaard ↗
Relationship history
Martin Ødegaard is married to Norwegian dancer Helene Spilling. They made their relationship public in June 2023, became legally married in 2024 and held their wedding celebration in June 2025. Their son Matheo was born in December 2024.
Relationship sources
- Helene Spilling Instagram · Helene Spilling ↗
Children
- NameMatheoDate of birthOther parentHelene Spilling ↗
Family life
His father Hans Erik, a former top-division midfielder in Norway, coached him at Drammen Strong and Strømsgodset as well as working with him individually. Ødegaard credits that close involvement, alongside constant games with childhood friends, with giving him an early football education.Source: The Players’ Tribune · Martin Ødegaard ↗
Fatherhood has also changed how he switches off after matches. In a 2026 FourFourTwo interview, Ødegaard said coming home to his family helped him relax and leave football behind for a while.Source: FourFourTwo · Martin Ødegaard interview ↗