Just seeing the baby helps me a lot. Sometimes the best thing is not to think about football at all to come home and step into a completely different world' Martin Odegaard on how fatherhood is helping his career

"To be a dad is unreal. It's an amazing feeling and gives a whole new meaning to life. Every day I just try to be the best dad I can be for him, to help him. He's still very young—just walking and running around a bit now—but as he gets older I want to be there, to do what's right for him and help him grow up in the best possible way."

"Family, he explains, is also where the game loosens its grip. They make me feel good, make me relax. Just seeing the baby is a really good feeling and helps me a lot."

"It's tricky, but I've got a lot of experience with it now. Having a family at home helps a lot, having people to come back to when they're awake. I try to sleep as long as possible in the morning, then start with the recovery routines."

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's 27-year-old captain, became a father two years ago, an experience that has fundamentally changed his life perspective beyond football. Fatherhood has altered his post-match routines, requiring silence when returning home to his sleeping child. Married to dancer Helene Spilling, Odegaard has a young son named Matheo, whose name he carries on his boots. He emphasizes the importance of being present as a father and helping his son grow. Away from the pitch, family provides crucial emotional support, helping him relax and feel grounded. Odegaard describes fatherhood as giving life new meaning while maintaining his professional commitment to leading Arsenal toward their first title in two decades.

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