Odion Ighalo Hints at Retirement from Professional Football Within Three Years

Odion Ighalo, the former Nigerian national team striker currently playing for Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League, has announced his intention to retire from professional football within the next three years. The 34-year-old made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 and went on to have a successful international career, including a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where he was the top scorer with five goals in seven games.

Despite announcing his retirement from the national team after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Ighalo briefly returned to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. However, his last appearance was against Ghana in 2022 as Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament. In a recent interview, Ighalo stated, "I don't know when God will say 'stop,' but I know it won't be more than three years before I retire."

Known for his prolific goalscoring record, Ighalo has been productive for his clubs in recent seasons. This season, he has scored 12 goals in 26 league appearances for Al-Wehda. Last season, he scored 21 goals with 3 assists in 34 games for Al-Hilal. However, the Lagos-born forward has acknowledged that financial considerations now play a significant role in his decision-making process, stating, "I have played for passion all my life, but now I have to play for money."

Why this matters: Ighalo's potential retirement within the next three years marks the end of an era for one of Nigeria's most prolific strikers in recent times. His decision also highlights the growing trend of players moving to leagues such as Saudi Arabia for financial reasons, as seen with high-profile transfers like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reflecting on his career path, Ighalo noted the trend of players moving to leagues such as Saudi Arabia for financial reasons, citing examples like Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his focus on financial stability, Ighalo's on-field achievements remain impressive, with his goalscoring record speaking for itself. As he enters the twilight of his career, fans will be eager to see how many more goals the Nigerian striker can add to his tally before hanging up his boots.

Key Takeaways

• Odion Ighalo, Nigerian striker, plans to retire within 3 years.
• Ighalo had a successful international career, including 3rd place at 2019 AFCON.
• Ighalo now prioritizes financial considerations over passion for the game.
• Ighalo's move to Saudi Arabia reflects a growing trend among players.
• Ighalo's goalscoring record remains impressive despite his impending retirement.