Sweden and Norway fought to a nil-nil draw yesterday, and the balance struck on the score line is a good reflection of the balance that currently exists between the countries’ respective superstars: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Martin Odegaard. One has been one of the top 5 players in the world for the past decade, but is aging closer and closer to retirement; the other is a 16-year-old that has expectations of greatness on his shoulders, both for Norway and for Real Madrid.
Unsurprisingly, the always outspoken Zlatan had a few words for the Norwegian wunderkind in the aftermath of their tie.
"He did well, played straightforward and didn't lose many balls," he said. "He has a long time to get even better. It's good that he's already playing for his country."
And then Zlatan commented on Odegaard’s father, because that is what Zlatan does.
"It's not easy to say, but he has a father that controls everything completely…First he must grow up and become a man and then get rid of his father."
Zlatan reportedly said that last part in a light hearted fashion, even so, Zlatan isn’t the kind of guy to say something for no reason.
Is Odegaard’s father going to hold him back from progressing? Will he be more of a hinderance than a help? Yes and yes, according to Zlatan.
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