Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid future may yet remain uncertain after Carlo Ancelotti’s decision on Sunday.
Odegaard is back at Real Madrid this season after his loan spell with Arsenal, though the north London club were keen to sign him permanently this summer.
Despite that, the midfielder has been told his future is at Real Madrid, with Ancelotti keen to keep him around ahead of his first campaign back at the club.
But for Odegaard, it’s all about first-team opportunities, and he does not seem totally convinced he will get them this season.
There is plenty of competition in the Real Madrid midfield, particularly for the two advanced positions, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco all making life difficult for Odegaard.
And in Sunday’s goalless draw with AC Milan, Real Madrid’s last pre-season friendly, Odegaard started on the bench, despite featuring regularly for Los Blancos in pre-season.
Modric and Isco were handed starts, with Odegaard coming off the bench in the second half.
That move from Ancelotti has raised more questions over whether the Norwegian midfielder will continue after all.
Though, it is only a pre-season friendly, and we are likely to learn much more once La Liga gets going this week.
Given it’s pre-season, Ancelotti was likely attempting to give everyone as many minutes as possible at this point.
Odegaard will have three La Liga games with Real Madrid before the transfer window closes to get a better idea of whether he is best placed staying put or going elsewhere.