Norway manager not happy after what his country’s FA have just done to Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard

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Martin Odegaard is one of Arsenal and Norway’s best players.

The 26-year-old has been outstanding for club and country for many years now. He is one of the first names on the team sheet for both managers and is among the best in the world.

Odegaard finished 19th in the Ballon d’Or rankings, above Arsenal stars like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Declan Rice.

He completely deserved that recognition, but it looks like his own country’s football federation has let him down now.

Stale Solbakken disagrees with Norway FA’s Martin Odegaard decision

Norway holds a gala every year to honour the contributions of their best sportspersons – it’s called Idrettsgallaen.

That is scheduled to take place on the 4th of January.

One of the awards in the ceremony is for the Best Male Athlete of the Year, and each sport’s federation can nominate players to win it.

The Norwegian Football Association nominated Erling Haaland but then decided to snub Odegaard.

That came as a big surprise to everyone in Norway, including their national team manager Stale Solbakken. He’s not in agreement with his country’s FA at all.

“I do not agree,” he told NRK.

“Because Martin has been superb for a long time for two teams (Arsenal and Norway). But there is strong competition.”

READ MORE: Martin Odegaard matched Aaron Ramsey’s incredible record that he set against Tottenham

Odegaard’s former coach reacts to Norway FA’s snub

Odegaard is one of the best players Norway has ever produced.

The 26-year-old has achieved so much already over the years, and his performances for Arsenal and his country have been nothing short of incredible.

Norway boss Solbakken is clearly not pleased with the decision to not nominate Odegaard for the Male Athlete of the Year award.

The Arsenal captain’s former coach Per Joar Hansen is very surprised too.

He said: “We have players like Caroline (Graham Hansen), Erling (Braut Haaland) and Martin to be obvious on such lists. They perform at the world level in the world’s largest sport. This says everything about respect for football as a sport in Norway.

“Martin is the captain and mainstay of Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Clearly, he should have been nominated.”