San Sebastian (Spain) (AFP)

Master to play of the breathtaking Real Sociedad last year, the young Norwegian Martin Odegaard was recalled by Zinédine Zidane to finally launch his career at Real Madrid on Sunday (19:00 GMT) in San Sebastián, for the return of the Merengues in Liga.

Just like at home: a great architect of Real Sociedad's excellent season in 2019-2020 (4 goals and 5 assists in 27 La Liga games) and adored by the supporters, the young attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard (21 years old) ) will make his comeback in La Liga in "his" Anoeta stadium ... but in the illustrious white jersey.

Five years after joining Real Madrid at the age of 16, "Martintxo" (little Martin), as the Basque supporters called him, had never found his place in the Real Madrid first team, confined to the reserve team. de la Castilla or loaned to Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands, or recently, to Real Sociedad.

On the last day of La Liga 2014-2015, at 16 years and 157 days, he became the youngest player to wear the Real Madrid first-team jersey, when he replaced superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the 57th minute. 'a match against Getafe, N.41 on the back, when the score was already 5-3 ... But since then nothing.

- "It will come when it comes" -

The big leap towards the first team, "it will come when it comes", breathed the Scandinavian prodigy when announcing his departure to the "White House" in January 2015 ...

Described as "talent of the century" according to the legendary German striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Martin Odegaard has been expected since adolescence as the future big name in world football.

In August 2014, at just 15 years and 253 days, he became the youngest international in Norwegian history in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates.

At 21 today, he already has 22 caps and 1 goal with his national team.

If his talent took a long time to develop, now Real Madrid coach Zinédine Zidane believes that Odegaard is ready for the "Galactics".

The French technician, at the time at the head of Castilla, had played a key role in convincing the young player and his father to join Madrid in 2015.

Zidane intends to make the nugget Odegaard the heir of the 2018 Ballon d'Or Luka Modric (35) in Madrid midfield, and gradually incorporate him into the rotation of the five-star midfielder of the Merengues, in the middle stars like 2014 world champion Toni Kroos, and others Isco, Casemiro, and Fede Valverde.

- Fragile right knee -

And he hopes that Odegaard will bring the ardor of his youth and fresh blood from his debut ... which Real lacked this season in the Champions League (eliminated in the round of 16 by Manchester City), after a La Liga ended in waterspout.

In 2019-2020, the Drammen native, southwest of Oslo, compiled better stats in assists (9) and goals (7) than any of the Real Madrid midfielders in all competitions. confused.

"I thought I was a hard worker. But when I arrived and saw him train, I understood why he was one of the best," young French central defender Robin told AFP in February. Le Normand, teammate at the Norwegian's Real Sociedad.

Renowned for his seriousness and diligence at work, Odegaard spent part of his vacation getting ready at the Sierra Nevada High Performance Center, near Granada.

Only one thing could hinder the beautiful story that seems about to begin between Odegaard and Real Madrid: the physical glitches.

In July, he could not finish the season with the club of San Sebastián, affected by "patellar tendinopathy in the right knee".

And last week, he did not join the Norwegian selection to continue to treat his knee in the facilities of Real Madrid.

© 2020 AFP