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Ødegaard hailed as world's top football talent

NTB/The Local
NTB/The Local - [email protected]
Ødegaard hailed as world's top football talent
Martin Ødegaard was voted the number one young talent in world football. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix

Norwegian soccer sensation has been voted top of the polls by pundits who deemed the 15-year-old the world's greatest football talent, it was announced on Tuesday.

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UK website Teamtalk published the "wonderkid" list that claimed Martin Ødegaard is the greatest teen protege in world football ever.

The site selected and evaluated the 50 current greatest football talents around the globe. On Tuesday, their top ten list was presented. At the top was the Norwegian  midfielder Martin Ødegaard who plays for unfashionable Strømsgodset in his home country.
 
The website claimed as their justification: “Until the last month few had heard of the Liverpool supporter that all clubs want. But he has deserved our "wonderkid" title.”
 
The 15-year-old has been a hot topic of conversation for football fans in Norway and outside. Some of Europe's top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Ajax have been rumoured for months as vying for the signature of the youngster. The player under the careful guidance of his club and family is considering all but options.
 
Second behind Ødegaard on TeamTalk's list is Barcelona talent Alen Halilovic. The 18-year-old was brought to the Catalonian club from Croatian Dinamo Zagreb earlier this year and has already played three matches for the Spanish club's reserve team. Halilovic is due his chance in the first team very soon, reports state, and is the youngest player ever to score in the Croatian top league. He did that two years ago, aged only 16 years and 112 days.
 
Third place on the list went to the Brazilian Gabriel Barbosa. He is also 18-years-old and currently playing for Santos in Brazil.
 
Further down the list of Teamtalk is the 16-year-old Hachim Mastour (AC Milan) and Ajax player Riechedly Bazoer. 18-year-old Bazoer has linked to signing with Manchester City.

TeamTalk Top 10 Soccer Wonderkids

1 Martin Ødegaard, 15 (Strømsgodset)

2 Alen Halilovic, 18 (Barcelona)

3 Gabriel Barbosa, 18 (Santos)

4 Hachim Mastour, 16 (AC Milan)

5 Riechedly Bazoer, 18 (Ajax)

6 Mosquito, 18 (Atletico Paranaense)

7 Youri Tielemans, 17 (Anderlecht)

8 Neal Maupay, 18 (Nice)

9 Ruben Neves, 17 (Porto)

10 Seung-Woo Lee, 16 (Barcelona)

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