Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has asserted that most footballers play for monetary benefits and not passion for the game.
Ighalo, who was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League in the 2021/2022 season, said the ongoing exodus of global football superstars to the Saudi Arabian league was inspired by money.
He insisted that Christiano Rolando’s record-breaking move to Al Nassr was motivated by money and not passion.
The former Al-Hilal striker made the assertion in an interview with popular football journalist, Oma Akatugba.
“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.
