Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard confronts ex‑City star Bernardo Silva
On 28 September 2026, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard confronted former Man City star Bernardo Silva after the Portuguese midfielder delivered a very late ankle‑kick on international duty, earning a booking but escaping a red card, while the Norwegian shouted a two‑word slur beginning with ‘f’ and ending with ‘you’.
Odegaard told reporters he had “completely lost his head”, adding that Silva kicked him long after the ball was dead and that he had to sit on the grass to recover from the knock to his ankle. He described the incident as “unacceptable” and said it left him “shaken”.
He later explained that the injury would “probably won’t feel great tonight”, but hoped it would clear up over the next few days. Odegaard declined to repeat the slur on television, saying “I don’t think we should do that on TV”.
Silva’s response and booking
Silva received a yellow card for the challenge and was arguably lucky to avoid a dismissal. In the mixed zone he answered journalists with a blunt “It’s football, my friend”. The former Man City star, now a Real Madrid player, kept his composure despite the criticism.
Norway defender Leo Ostigard called the tackle “very late”, saying “when you see it afterwards on video, it’s very ugly. It could well be red”. He labelled the challenge “terrible” and “appallingly bad”, insisting it was not the kind of behaviour wanted from a captain.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken advised Odegaard to get off the field for ice and compression, describing the incident as a “real bump on his ankle”. He stressed the importance of proper treatment to avoid further problems.
Match outcome and upcoming fixture
Portugal went on to win the Nations League match 2‑1 away, with Joao Felix opening the scoring, Erling Haaland equalising in the 51st minute, and Goncalo Ramos restoring the lead three minutes later. Cristiano Ronaldo remained an unused substitute.
Despite the defeat, Norway will travel to Norway on Sunday for their next fixture, giving them a chance to “have the last laugh, at least for now”, according to the report.
Odegaard’s injury record and broader fallout
Odegaard’s ankle knock adds to a difficult season in which he suffered seven separate injuries, missing 30 games for club and country. The incident sparked outrage among Norwegian broadcasters, with commentator Simen Stamso Moller calling Silva’s action “completely unnecessary, it’s ugly”.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping the captain avoids further injury concerns, especially after Germany forward Kai Havertz was forced to withdraw from international duty. The episode has heightened scrutiny on player conduct and player safety on the international stage.