From kicking a ball around the backyard in Drammen to wearing the captain’s armband at Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard’s journey has been extraordinary. Behind that remarkable rise were his parents, whose guidance and sacrifices laid the foundation for his success. His father, Hans Erik Ødegaard, a former professional footballer, became Martin’s first coach and mentor, putting him through a demanding training schedule that reportedly stretched beyond 20 hours a week. Those countless hours on the training ground, backed by the love and support of his family, laid the foundation for Ødegaard’s game today.

Who are Martin Ødegaard’s parents? 

Martin Ødegaard’s father, Hans Erik Ødegaard, is a Norwegian football coach and former professional player. A midfielder during his playing days, he represented Strømsgodset and Sandefjord before moving into coaching. After serving as an assistant coach at Mjøndalen, he became co-head coach of Sandefjord alongside Andreas Tegström and currently serves as the head coach of Lillestrøm SK.

Hans Erik played a pivotal role in Martin’s football development. As his first coach and mentor, he designed an intensive training program that reportedly saw Martin spend more than 20 hours a week honing his skills from a young age. Martin’s mother, Lene Ødegaard, has largely stayed out of the public eye. While she prefers to keep her private life away from the spotlight, she has been a constant source of support throughout Martin’s journey, standing by him as he progressed from Norway’s youth ranks to captaining Arsenal.

What ethnicity are Martin Ødegaard’s parents?

Martin Ødegaard’s parents are of White Norwegian ethnicity. He was born in Drammen, Norway, to Hans Erik Ødegaard and Lene Ødegaard, both of whom are Norwegian. Ødegaard has represented Norway throughout his football career and currently captains the national team.

The Ødegaard surname is of Norwegian origin, derived from an old Norwegian farm name, reflecting the family’s deep roots in Norway.

Martin Ødegaard’s relationship with his parents 

Martin Ødegaard shares a close relationship with his parents, whose support has been central to his journey from a football prodigy to Arsenal captain. Growing up in a football-loving family, Martin was introduced to the game by his father, Hans Erik Ødegaard, a former professional midfielder who became his first coach. Hans Erik played a pivotal role in developing Martin’s technical ability and discipline, laying the foundation for his remarkable career.

His mother complemented that guidance by providing a stable and supportive home environment, helping Martin balance the demands of school and football. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Martin reflected on his parents’ influence, saying, “My father was obviously a big inspiration for me. He was a professional himself, and I trained a lot with him, so of course that’s where my interest in football came from.”

He also spoke about the sporting background on his mother’s side of the family, “My uncle played a bit of football as well, but he retired early. On my mum’s side as well, she was into sport but more like track and field and handball, so there was always sport within the family – but the football side was mainly from my dad.”

Martin has often credited his father for instilling the work ethic that has defined his career, with the countless hours they spent training together helping him develop into one of Europe’s finest midfielders. At the same time, the support of both Hans Erik and Lene gave him the confidence to pursue his ambitions from an early age.