Martin Odegaard has won the 2022 edition of Kniksen’s Honorary Award, considered Norwegian football’s most prestigious award.

Various sources confirm that Martin Odegaard has received the 2022 Kniksen’s Honorary Award, given to a person or team who have made a significant contribution to Norwegian football.

The award is generally considered a lifetime achievement award, and it’s recognised as Norwegian football’s most prestigious award. So for Odegaard to pick it up at his age is certainly an impressive achievement.

“In addition to being one of the world’s leading footballers, Martin Odegaard is a role model for all of us,” said Cato Haug, chairman of the Norwegian Premier League.

“We can all be proud to have such a player in the world’s toughest league that children and young people all over the world look up to.

“The respect the player earns among everyone is unique. An incredible number of hours have been put into training every year, whether it is under the auspices of the club or personal training.

“He shows great loyalty to the club and the team he plays for, and he always gives his all.

“He makes high demands both of himself and of everyone on the team. And without yelling, he has become a leadership figure.”

“I’m flabbergasted,” Odegaard said after receiving the award. “I have to admit that. I didn’t expect this. It’s a bit surreal. It’s a great honour to receive this award.

“I’ve been through a lot. I broke through early and remember it like it was yesterday. Time flies. There have been ups and downs, but I feel like I’m making progress all the way.”

The honourary award usually goes to someone a bit older, often a coach or a former referee. The only other current player under 40 to receive it in the last 10 years was Erling Haaland, perhaps unsurprisingly.

Before that, the last player was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2007, who received it at the end of his career at the age of 34.

Haaland and Odegaard are both still very young, but they look like two of the brightest stars Norwegian football has produced for a long time.

It’s little wonder Odegaard captains Norway and Arsenal, and Haaland is setting new Premier League goal records every week. No matter their age, they’re already that good.