Odegaard fury at Bernardo Silva as ‘ugly’ foul prompts injury fears
Odegaard fury at Bernardo Silva as ‘ugly’ foul prompts injury fears
Sam DeanMon, September 28, 2026 at 10:18 AM UTC
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Martin Odegaard protests to the referee after being fouled - Getty Images/Marius Nordnes
Old rivalries were renewed in Norway’s Nations League match against Portugal on Sunday night when Martin Odegaard was subjected to an “ugly” and “dirty” foul by Bernardo Silva.
Odegaard and Silva went head-to-head in the title race last season, as captains of Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, and the Norwegian was infuriated by Silva’s challenge in Oslo.
The Portugal midfielder, who left City for Real Madrid in the summer, caught Odegaard with a kick on the ankle long after the ball had been played.
Odegaard unleashed an uncharacteristically angry outburst at Silva and then said after the game that such a tackle “does not belong on a football pitch”. He was supported by his team-mates, who accused Silva of deliberately seeking to hurt Odegaard.
It has prompted fears that Odegaard, who has enjoyed a strong start to the season, has suffered an ankle injury. He received medical treatment after the game and was then seen limping towards the team bus.
What happened?
Portugal were leading 2-1 in stoppage time at the Ullevaal Stadion when Odegaard received possession deep in his own half. Silva was his closest opponent and applied pressure to the Norway captain, who played a left-footed pass towards the halfway line.
After the ball was played, Silva continued to chase Odegaard and kicked out with both legs at the Norwegian. Odegaard appeared to jar his right ankle as a consequence of the challenge, and he thumped the turf in frustration immediately afterwards.
Odegaard remained on the pitch for the final minutes of the defeat but was visibly incensed – and made his rage clear to Silva. He roared in Silva’s face a few moments later, and then squared up to him on the pitch. Silva appeared to ignore Odegaard.
What did the two players say?
Odegaard later told TV2 that he received no apology from Silva, and added: “It doesn’t belong on a football field. It’s a shame that people do that.
“It’s head fog from him. He just kicks me down long after I’ve played the ball away. I don’t understand what he’s doing. You have to ask him. I don’t know what he’s doing.”
Asked after the game about the challenge, Silva simply said: “It’s football, my friend.”
Odegaard and Silva have been key figures in the fierce, and often hostile, rivalry between Arsenal and City over the past few seasons. Silva has been one of Arsenal’s main antagonists, previously criticising their style and provoking their players.
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Odegaard and Bernardo Silva went head to head for the title in 2025-26 as captains of Arsenal and Manchester City - Offside via Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole
Asked about Arsenal at the end of last season, he told The Athletic: “Well, it’s a team that has been together for, what, five years now, so it’s only natural that they would man up a little bit and start challenging for titles.”
He also said he was “not in love” with Arsenal and that Liverpool were City’s main rivals “by far”.
What was the reaction?
In Norway, the reaction was swift. TV2 commentator Simen Stamsø Møller said: “Look at Bernardo Silva, he’s a dirty player. It’s completely unnecessary. It’s ugly.”
TV2’s Morten Langli added: “This is disgusting. He is trying to hurt Odegaard. It is disgusting. You don’t want to see that on a football field. It is bad sportsmanship and dishonourable play.”
Patrick Berg, the Norway midfielder, said: “It’s ugly. It’s completely deliberate, where he just kicks out after him. Completely unnecessary. It’s really bad, it looked like Martin was in a lot of pain.”
Norway defender Leo Ostigard said Silva’s post-match comments were “stupid” and added: “It’s very late. When you see it afterwards on video, it’s very ugly. It could well be red.”
Premier League players suffering on international duty
Odegaard is by no means the first Premier League player to have suffered an injury during this international break.
His close friend and Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz has returned to Arsenal for treatment on a hamstring injury he picked up during Germany’s draw with Netherlands.
To add to Arsenal’s concerns, Kai Havertz has had to leave the Germany squad to return to the club for treatment - AFP/NICOLAS TUCAT
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has also returned to England as a result of a “small problem with his thigh”, said Sweden head coach Graham Potter.
His team-mate at Anfield, Cody Gakpo, was forced out of the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Serbia with an ankle injury.
Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu and Bruno Fernandes are also dealing with fitness problems. Dorgu limped off during Denmark’s match against Wales, and Fernandes was left out of Portugal’s game against Norway with an injury he was carrying from club duty.
Sunderland have also had a double injury blow after striker Brian Brobbey and defender Dan Ballard both hurt their hamstrings while playing for the Netherlands and Northern Ireland respectively.
Source: “AOL Sports”
