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Bernardo Silva has shown no remorse over a reckless challenge on Martin Ødegaard during Sunday's UEFA Nations League clash between Portugal and Norway in Oslo.
The Real Madrid midfielder, introduced only as a late substitute, appeared to channel the Manchester City-Arsenal rivalry the moment he spotted Gunners skipper Ødegaard in possession deep into stoppage time.
Portugal were leading 2–1, but as Norway pushed for a leveler, Ødegaard initiated an attack from just outside his own penalty box. As Silva closed in, the Norway captain darted left to release the ball into midfield. Ødegaard completed the pass, yet Silva caught him from behind well after the ball had departed. The fact that he made contact using his left leg from that angle, rather than challenging with his right leg from the front, implies there was no genuine attempt to win the ball.
There was also ample time between the ball being played and the contact for Silva to abort any challenge entirely. In NFL terms, this was the equivalent of roughing the passer.
"It's a head-scratcher from him ... just kicks me down long after I've played the ball away," Ødegaard told local broadcaster TV2 afterwards.
"It's a pretty deliberate kick," Norway teammate Andreas Schjelderup similarly told Dagbladet. "It's pretty ugly. The fact that [Silva] is not being punished more is a bit strange."
Silva received a yellow card for the challenge, though Norway's players clearly felt a red card would have been more appropriate. Ødegaard, whose 2025–26 campaign had already been heavily disrupted by injuries, was incensed and immediately got in his opponent's face.
"I don't think we should [say] that on TV," was his reply when asked what words he had exchanged with Silva.
Despite the outrage from Ødegaard, the Norwegian squad, Norwegian supporters and Arsenal fans alike, Silva appeared entirely unbothered. When pressed for comment by journalists as he passed through the stadium's media mixed zone, he simply said, "It's football, my friend," drawing audible gasps of disbelief from those nearby.
What Injury Does Martin Odegaard Have?
Martin Ødegaard limping as he leaves after the match pic.twitter.com/5u5yXlZUlm
As Ødegaard made his way out of the stadium toward Norway's team bus, video footage showed the Arsenal star walking with a noticeable limp.
He described it as merely a "bump on my [left] ankle," suggesting it may be nothing more than a contact knock resulting in swelling and bruising.
Ødegaard's injury woes last season were largely centered around his knee, along with a muscle issue that may have stemmed from a lack of match fitness following a prior absence, and a shoulder problem.
However, he returned from Norway's September 2024 international break with ankle ligament damage after being tackled on his right ankle, causing him to miss 12 Arsenal fixtures.
Once the swelling subsides, a scan will be necessary to fully determine the extent of any damage.
When Will Martin Odegaard Return From Injury?
Ødegaard anticipated his ankle would swell up shortly after the final whistle—"It probably won't be good tonight," he said on Sunday—but does not expect a serious issue.
"I'm betting it'll be fine in the next few days," he added.
At this point, Ødegaard has not pulled out of the Norway squad, making it likely the camp believes he will feature again before the international window concludes. Norway takes on Wales (Oct. 1) and then Portugal once more (Oct. 4) before the end of next weekend.
In that case, there should be little concern about him missing upcoming Arsenal fixtures. The Gunners are next in action on Oct. 10 when Leeds United come to the Emirates Stadium.
Should a scan reveal more serious damage, however, the absence could stretch into multiple weeks as it did two years ago. Key Arsenal fixtures over the next two months include an away trip to Bayern Munich in the Champions League (Oct. 21) and Premier League encounters with Liverpool (Nov. 1) and Manchester City (Nov. 29).