Bernardo Silva responded with four words when asked what an enraged Martin Ødegaard said to him after the clash during Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match between Portugal and Norway.
Portugal secured a 2-1 win in Oslo thanks to goals on either side of the break from Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos. Erling Haaland scored for the home side, but it is Portugal who top Group D after two straight wins.
Read: Real Madrid have contacted “team Haaland”
The legendary Portuguese goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the match. Portugal’s new national team manager Jorge Jesus chose to send Bernardo Silva in as his fifth and final substitute, and took out Pedro Neto in the 87th minute.
Although Silva was only on the pitch for the last few minutes, the Manchester City legend – who signed for Real Madrid in the summer – still managed to infuriate Arsenal captain Ødegaard with a kick in the back of his legs.
Ødegaard had already released the ball when Silva delivered the insidious kick. The Norway star went to the ground in pain while Silva received a yellow card. A short time later, an enraged Ødegaard was seen confronting Silva after the tackle.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is already concerned about German striker Kai Havertz, will pray that Ødegaard was not injured by Silva’s tackle.
Ødegaard was seen limping outside the stadium late Sunday night. Meanwhile, Silva has further annoyed Arsenal supporters on social media with his response when asked what Ødegaard said to him.
“What did Ødegaard say to you after the tackle? Ødegaard was upset about the tackle,” a reporter told the Portugal star.
Silva, without stopping, said as he left the building: “It’s football, my friend.” Watch the clip below:
Silva and Ødegaard meet again on Sunday 4 October when Norway and Portugal go head-to-head for the second time in a week.
Before that, Norway will face Wales on Thursday, while Portugal travel to Denmark. At this stage, it is unclear whether Ødegaard will play against Wales.
Arteta will be hoping that his captain is 100 per cent injury-free for Arsenal’s first Premier League game after the international break against Leeds United on October 10.
The Gunners suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the three-week break and will be desperate to get back on the winning track at the Emirates Stadium to stay within reach of Manchester City, who have won all five of their opening games but now face a very uncertain future after they were reportedly found guilty of 114 Premier League charges.
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