– It was a very short friendship. – Who wants to be with a guy like that for long? These are just some of the merciless descriptions Martin Samuelsen offers about himself. THAT TIME: The great talent Martin Samuelsen together with his teammates in SK Vard Haugesund. Photo: Kjell Sture Jensen He was the talent that top European clubs were fighting for, something that led to a youth completely out of the ordinary: He went to Manchester City’s academy as a 14-year-old. Made his debut with a goal for West Ham as an 18-year-old, impressed the Manchester United legend after a big game and scored his first A national team goal the following year. Then it stopped in many ways. – I almost lived a double life, reflects Samuelsen. – It hurts. Because even though the teenager at the time apparently “had everything”, it was not easy to live only for football from a very young age. – I was not a normal boy. HONOUR: Martin Samuelsen talks about loneliness and the double life. Photo: Thomas Halleland / news The midfielder describes himself as incredibly competitive, and that he should be the best in everything. He did it alone. One day he was at school, and the next he was visiting big clubs around Europe. He was supposed to be normal and fit in, and he was supposed to pursue a career and development. This was what he experienced as a double life. – I was confused. “Who am I? What should I do?” There was a lot of confusion. In the end, the choice fell on Manchester City, almost just to make a choice. – I remember it as a stormy time. I was a young boy, but it wasn’t the first offer. It just felt like “now I have to do something”. So then I left. PROMISING: Samuelsen went to West Ham and scored on his debut. Photo: West Ham The adventure abroad did not come to a happy end for the Norwegian favourite. The year at City, the move to West Ham and the aforementioned dream debut made Samuelsen a household name here on the mountain, but he was unable to live up to expectations. The Premier League debut never came. Instead, it was a loan marathon, life in a suitcase, and after a while: Return to the hometown and FK Haugesund. – I gained a lot of experience. Many bad experiences. It was a very turbulent time. Not a good time. You are on a kind of eternal flight, so you don’t get to sit down and reflect. You kind of let it go. Because it hurts, Samuelsen admits. “How far down can I fall?” The return to Haugesund was the turning point. A light came on for the then 23-year-old Samuelsen. He was brutally honest with himself. – I thought that “first of all, I can’t be the person I am now. And secondly, I can’t be that football player either. I have to get better. But first I have to start with the human side.” – I wasn’t dreaming. I didn’t set myself a goal. I didn’t do good things for myself. I actually did everything you’re not supposed to do. He describes himself as a ghost of that time. One who didn’t focus on anything. Who was just part of life’s merry-go-round. Just embarrassed. GOT HELP: Samuelsen got help when he was back in Haugesund. Photo: Thomas Halleland / news – It was a very clear negative curve. I thought “who stops this here? How far down can I fall?”. I never thought I would quit to do something else, but I didn’t give everything I could give. It was on a human level, explains Samuelsen. He specifies that he was never forced to do anything, and that the stay abroad was ultimately his own choice. – But I had become “the football player Martin”. I always thought about what was best for “footballer Martin”. And it’s not that good, he adds. He got professional help. Sorted experiences. Reflected. He knew he couldn’t change the past, but he wanted to avoid making the same mistakes again. – I call it success Four years ago he played U21 football with Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Now he sees his former teammates wreaking havoc in the Premier League and on the A national team. – Shouldn’t it have been him? – I sometimes feel it. The thoughts can flow a little that way. But then I just stop them at once. There is no point in going there. I have experienced a lot and been incredibly lucky, and I still have the opportunity to experience a lot of fun. “THE OTHER MARTIN”: Samuelsen and Ødegaard were great talents that everyone wanted a piece of. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Samuelsen has learned many lessons. That he is a better football player when he is well. And that if something feels wrong, then it is usually wrong. Now he is better. He thrives on elite series football in Haugesund, chopping wood with his grandparents, family gatherings, Christmas dinner and weekdays. Furthermore, he will in no way agree that he is a flop. – You can say that I have failed, because I am here in Haugesund. But I call it success. That I have gone through all this, and that I am here. It is a huge success, concludes Samuelsen. CLOSING PLAY: Martin Samuelsen enjoying himself in Haugesund. Photo: Jan Kåre Ness / NTB
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Martin Samuelsen talks about loneliness, double life and bad experiences – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
