- Ighalo said the exodus of top footballers to Saudi Arabian league is inspired by money
- He said Ronaldo’s record-breaking move to Al Nassr was money-induced
Most football players are after pecuniary gains and don’t have passion for the game, Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has said.
The former Manchester United forward said the ongoing influx of global football superstars to the Saudi Arabian league is spurred by monetary benefits.
The former Al-Hilal striker made the disclosure in an interview with popular football journalist, Oma Akatugba.
Ighalo was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League in the 2021/2022 season, .
He insisted that Christiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking move to Al Nassr was motivated by money and not passion.
“Those players that would come out and say, we are playing football for passion this and all that, bro, it’s money [they are playing for]. At the end of it all, we are all playing [football] for money.
“Look at those that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Ronaldo, is it passion he is still playing for? Ronaldo has made hundred times what I’ve had in my life, he still went to Saudi Arabia. So you want to tell me it’s passion? It’s for money, bro,” he said.
Meanwhile, Odion Ighalo has said he is willing to play in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) only if the right things are in place
Ighalo made this known in a recent chat with Elegbete TV.
Before his sojourn abroad, Ighalo played for Prime FC of Oshogbo and Julius Berger in Lagos before moving to Europe in 2007.
The 34-year-old is currently a free agent after his contract with Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal ended in May.
He said “I said if security is guaranteed, good coverage is assured and better officiating. Of course, [I will play].
“I have played in the league before, and it will be a great privilege for me to play again for another six months or one year before I end my career”