I spent many nights crying, Samu Omorodion opens up on Atletico’s struggles

Nigerian decent and Spanish striker, Samu Omorodion, has opened up about the challenges he faced during his time at Atletico Madrid, revealing a difficult period of isolation from the first team before his eventual move to FC Porto.

In an interview with Marca released on Saturday, the 20-year-old forward shared how Atletico’s financial constraints led to his departure, and the emotional toll it took on him.

“There—at Atletico Madrid—I trained apart. I didn’t feel like a participant or like a footballer. I trained and my head told me no. I had a hard time. I spent many nights crying… my family and my mother had a very bad time,” Omorodion said.

Omorodion’s struggles stemmed from Atletico’s decision to exclude him from first-team activities, a situation that left him feeling disconnected.

He revealed that communication between him and the club’s management was nonexistent during this period.

“No one at the club spoke to me [about the situation], and I didn’t speak to anyone. I already knew the club’s stance,” he explained, adding that the experience has taught him valuable lessons for the future.

Despite the challenges, Omorodion’s fortunes have turned around since his move to FC Porto, where he has enjoyed a stellar start, scoring seven goals in his first seven appearances.

Reflecting on the change, he expressed gratitude for how things eventually unfolded.

“In the end, thank God, everything was closed quickly, and I made the best decision,” he said.

Omorodion’s summer transfer saga also included a near-move to Chelsea, which ultimately fell through at the last minute. However, he seemed unfazed by the setback, viewing it as part of his journey.

“It was a very complicated summer. When I was at Atletico Madrid, I had a very bad time. In the end, thank God everything went well. If Chelsea didn’t work out, it was for a reason, and in the end everything went well,” Omorodion added.

Now thriving at Porto, Omorodion said he has left behind a challenging chapter of his career and focussing on his promising future in Portugal.