Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has spoken candidly about his turbulent spell at Real Sociedad, where a devastating ACL injury halted his momentum just days after making a dream debut. The 27 year old joined Sociedad from Almeria with high hopes but was sidelined for nearly a year due to the serious knee injury.
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Despite scoring on his debut against Athletic Bilbao, Sadiq never managed to re-establish himself in the squad post-recovery and was used mainly as a substitute. Speaking to TVC, he revealed his frustration with the situation, admitting that the lack of continuity and playing time held him back.
"From the first day I went to Real Sociedad, I had a lot of expectations," he said. "But after five days, I tore my ACL and things changed. When I came back, I didn’t get the continuity I needed. It was the coach’s decision, and I respected that."
Now on loan at Valencia, Sadiq has scored four goals in 11 league appearances and says he finally feels like himself again. "Week in, week out I’m playing. I’m gaining my confidence. Continuity is what every footballer needs to stay calm and show what they have."
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Editorial
Umar Sadiq’s story is one we’ve seen far too often in football: a promising talent derailed not by a lack of quality, but by the brutal unpredictability of injury and timing. His reflections offer a raw and honest window into the mental and physical battle players face behind the scenes where talent alone isn't always enough.
When Sadiq arrived at Real Sociedad, he wasn’t just a transfer he was a statement of ambition. A striker fresh off a strong season at Almeria, ready to prove himself at a higher level. And then, five days later, fate intervened.
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The ACL injury didn’t just take him off the pitch it paused his momentum, altered his standing within the squad, and forced him to rebuild from scratch. And in elite football, recovery doesn’t always guarantee reintegration. Coaches move on. Systems change. Competition intensifies. The clock doesn't wait.
But here’s where Sadiq’s strength truly shows. Rather than sulking or settling, he accepted the reality and sought a fresh start. His form at Valencia is no fluke it’s a reminder of the player he always was. With confidence, minutes, and rhythm, he is once again thriving.
For Nigeria and for Sadiq himself, this resurgence is timely. The road back to the top hasn’t been smooth, but if there’s one thing he’s proving now it’s that he never stopped moving forward.
Did You Know?
Umar Sadiq scored on his debut in a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao before suffering an ACL injury in training days later.
He represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics, winning a bronze medal under [coach Samson](https://www.footballinnigeria.com.ng/category/news/nigerian-football-news/) Siasia.
Before moving to Spain, Sadiq played in Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, and even Scotland on loan.
His €20 million move to Real Sociedad in 2022 made him one of the most expensive Nigerian players in La Liga history.
Sadiq stands at 1.92m (6 ft 3 in), making him one of the tallest Nigerian forwards to play in Europe’s top five leagues.