Martin degaard awarded the Kniksen honorary prize: - A little unreal

Martin degaard awarded the Kniksen honorary prize: – A little unreal

Posted On: October 21, 2022

The award came to light as Norwegian Top Football celebrated its 50th anniversary in Oslo on Thursday evening. degaard is the second-youngest winner of the award, behind Erling Braut Haaland who received it aged 20 in 2020.

– I was placed here now, I must admit. I didn’t expect this. It’s a bit surreal and it’s a great honor to receive this award, degaard said in a statement.

He was given the honorary Kniksen award when he was recently in Norway in connection with Arsenal’s Europa League match against Bodø/Glimt.

This award is the highest that can be received in Norwegian football. Traditionally, it was awarded to people older than degaard, but the jury believed that the midfield star fit the criteria through his international success and his position as a role model.

– Apart from being one of the world’s leading footballers, Martin degaard is a role model for all of us. We can all be proud to have such a player in the toughest league in the world (Premier League) who is a role model for children and youth around the world. The respect that players enjoy among everyone is unique, said chairman Cato Haug of Norsk Topfotball on behalf of the jury.

Humble and hungry

In April 2014, degaard became the youngest debutant in the Eliteserien. Less than a year later, he was sold from Strømsgodset to Real Madrid. Drammenser never managed to land a permanent place at the Spanish giants, but then thrived at Arsenal.

He made his debut for the senior national team at the age of 15.

– I’ve been through a lot. I broke through early and I remember it like it was just yesterday. Time passed quickly. “There have been ups and downs, but I feel like I’m making progress,” said degaard.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented on the awarding of the Kniksen award as follows:

– This is a special award that is highly valued in his country. Martin is humble, hungry and loves what he does. That’s why he is our captain.

The NTF annually awards the honorary Kniksen award to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Norwegian top football. Last year it went to Patrick Berg (24) and his famous football family from the Bod.

The award is named after the legend Brann Roald “Kniksen” Jensen.