After a successful career in Europe, Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has been moving to Asia, and Saudi Arabia in particular, for a number of years now. The current striker of El-Wehd, said that he no longer plays for passion, but to earn money.
“I don't know when God will tell me to stop, but I know it won't be more than three years before I do. I've played for passion all my life, now I have to play for money. I'm not one of those players who say I play soccer for passion. I play for money, and at the end of the day, it's all about money. Look at the people who go to Saudi Arabia, the great players. Does Ronaldo still play for passion? He's won more than 100 times what I've won in my life, but he's still gone to Saudi Arabia. Are you telling me that's passion? No, it's for the money. It's only when we Africans say it, that they'll say we love money. But these people don't care, some of them want to be the best paid and all that", elaborated the Nigerian.
"I am not those players that will tell you we are playing football for passion"
- Odion Ighalo pic.twitter.com/nzwKo1VVkF
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) April 23, 2024