Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland are at the center of a scandal involving leaked private messages that have stirred controversy within the Norway national team. This incident is highlighted in a new book titled The Battle of the National Team, which alleges that the Norwegian squad engaged in ethically questionable practices during the COVID-19 pandemic to navigate travel restrictions
The controversy traces back to November 2020, when the team faced complications due to defender Omar Elabdellaoui testing positive for COVID-19. It is claimed that the team’s doctor, Asle B. Kjellsen, exploited a loophole in Norwegian health regulations, allowing Ødegaard and other foreign-based players to bypass standard travel protocols by arriving separately from abroad. This tactic aimed to keep the team intact for a match against Romania
Leaked messages between Ødegaard and Haaland included a casual exchange where Haaland shared a news screenshot questioning their travel, to which Ødegaard responded with playful emojis, indicating a relaxed attitude amidst the serious context. This light-heartedness starkly contrasts with the poor performance that followed, as Norway lost 3-0 to Romania
The leak of these private conversations has drawn ire from some players, with Genoa midfielder Morten Thorsby expressing discontent over the exposure of personal messages, emphasizing the importance of privacy within the squad(
As for Ødegaard, he is currently recovering from an ankle injury and is not part of the Norway squad as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures
