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Tag: Ighalo

  • TRANSFER! Have compassion on Osimhen, he’s in pains, Ighalo begs Netizens

    TRANSFER! Have compassion on Osimhen, he’s in pains, Ighalo begs Netizens

    Odion Ighalo, a former Super Eagles striker, has hit out at Nigerians over their comments on social media, after Victor Osimhen failed to seal a move away from Napoli.

    Osimhen has been frozen out at the Serie A club following the collapse of transfer talks with Chelsea.

    The situation led to mixed reactions from fans on the Internet, with many criticizing the player and his entourage.

    But Ighalo wrote on X on Sunday morning: “No human being is perfect and we have all made mistakes in life.

    “But seeing comments about this young man from his own country people makes me really sad, without even knowing what happened.

    “I spoke to him and I can feel the pain in his voice, the way he’s been treated, this young man play with heart and pains for his country. “Hmmm it’s well, he will definitely be back stronger, we learn everyday in life. Happy New Month to y’all.” No human being is perfect and we have all made mistakes in life, but seeing comments about this young man from his own country people makes me really sad, without even knowing what happened, I spoke to him and I can feel the pain in his voice, the way he’s been treated, this… pic.twitter.com/P1J3yTpKx8 — Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) September 1, 2024

  • I’m shocked Messi didn’t join Saudi club – Ighalo

    I’m shocked Messi didn’t join Saudi club – Ighalo

    Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo has said he was shocked Lionel Messi did not join Saudi Arabi club, Al-Hilal.

    He revealed that Messi’s deal was part of the reasons his former club, Al-Hilal didn’t extend his contract.

    He also said Messi would have gotten twice of Al Nassr striker, Christiano Rolando’s salary if he had joined the Saudi club.

    Recalled the World Cup winner made a shock move to Major League Soccer side, Inter Miami last month after leaving PSG.

    Speaking in a recent interview with popular football journalist, Oma Akatugba: “I’m shocked Messi didn’t go to Saudi Arabia because it was part of the reasons my contract was not being extended [with Al-Hilal]. I thought it was a done deal.

    “The money they were offering him in Saudi [Arabia] was crazy. He was going to earn twice what Ronaldo was earning. I was shocked he didn’t go there. He chose Miami,” he said.

  • Why I want Ronaldo to come to Saudi – Ighalo

    Why I want Ronaldo to come to Saudi – Ighalo

    Al-Hilal striker Odion Ighalo, has said Cristiano Ronaldo will boost the Saudi Arabia league should he eventually make a transfer move to the Asian country

    Ronaldo is currently a free agent after his contract with Man United was terminated by mutual consent.

    The Portugal captain has been linked to Saudi Arabian clubs, Al-Hilal and Al Nassr in recent weeks.

    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to make a transfer decision to join a new club following his Man United’s exit after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    Speaking about Ronaldo, Ighalo, a former Manchester United striker, wants the 37-year-old to join him in Saudi Arabia, although he admits the former Real Madrid star will likely remain in Europe and join a Champions League club.

    “Cristiano Ronaldo is hugely ambitious, and I think he will want to play in a Champions League team and end his career well, but you never can say,” Ighalo told The Athletic.

    “He has the decision to make. I wish him all the best in that decision, and hopefully, he does come to Saudi Arabia.

    “I would love for him to come to Saudi because he would boost the league and add more fanbase to the league. People who are not already watching will start to engage with the league and see something they are missing.”

  • Ighalo scores as Al Hilal book semi-final spot to face Chelsea

    Ighalo scores as Al Hilal book semi-final spot to face Chelsea

    Al Hilal thumped hosts Al Jazira 6-1 on Sunday in Abu Dhabi to book their place in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals against Chelsea.

    Al Jazira, who are 2020/2021 UAE Pro League champions, opened the scoring through Abdoulay Diaby after 14 minutes.

    But goals from former English Premier League (EPL) forwards Odion Ighalo and Matheus Pereira put Al Hilal into the lead before the break.

    That narrow lead was extended into an emphatic scoreline in the second half, as Mohamed Kanno, Salem Al-Dawsari, Moussa Marega and Andre Carrillo all found the back of the net.

    Asian champions Al Hilal will now face European counterparts Chelsea in the last four on Wednesday, while Al Jazira meet Monterrey earlier that same day in the fifth-place play-off.

  • Why Ighalo won’t play for Super Eagles in Cameroon – Al-Shabab

    Why Ighalo won’t play for Super Eagles in Cameroon – Al-Shabab

    Saudi Arabian club side, Al-Shabab have explained the real cause of Odion Ighalo’s withdrawal from the Super Eagles squad for the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

    Speaking through its Director of Professionalism, Majid Al-Marzouki, on a local television channel, Al Arabiya, the club blamed the Nigerian football authorities for the player’s inability to join up with the rest of the team.

    The Super Eagles are already in Cameroon where they will be taking on Egypt in their first game on January 11.

    Al-Shabab said they did not release the player because the NFF failed the FIFA regulation in sending invites to players.

    According to them, the invitation letter reached the club later than the period specified for sending players’ call-up letters.

    “We did not prevent the player from joining, but his invitation letter did not reach us within the period specified by FIFA for receiving the players’ call-up letters,” the club said.

    “The FIFA Player Status Regulations stipulates that the local federation must notify the player and his club in writing of his summon 15 days before the start of the tournament, and it is advised to send a copy to the local federation of the club as well, which did not happen, and accordingly the coach told us that the player continues with us and will not join his team.

    “There are no negotiations between us and the Nigerian Federation, and the player is committed to the decision, the situation is settled”.

  • Transfer: Odion Ighalo makes decision on Newcastle move

    Transfer: Odion Ighalo makes decision on Newcastle move

    Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has informed Newcastle United club that he would be keen on a return to the Premier League and would ‘seriously consider’ the move.

    The former Watford striker is open to a move to the EPL and would have no issues transferring to the north-east.

    Ighalo has been shortlisted as a potential option for the Magpies this January.

    The Nigerian international was a shock signing from Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in January 2020 and impressed at Old Trafford enough to earn a second loan stint.

    Ighalo is currently playing for Saudi side Al Shabab after his time at the Theatre of Dreams.

    Al Shabab are aware of Newcastle’s interest and have spoken to Ighalo about the prospect of a return to the Premier League, Sky Sports reports .

    Ighalo’s contract in Saudi Arabia expires in the next another 18 months and this could be the club’s last opportunity to raise significant cash for the 32-year-old.

  • Odion Ighalo finally speaks on Super Eagles return

    Odion Ighalo finally speaks on Super Eagles return

    Former Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, has finally expressed happiness to be back in the Super Eagles squad after leaving the team three years ago.

    Ighalo has been included in Nigeria’s squad for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde on November 13 and 16, respectively.

    The 32-year-old arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Morocco from his base in Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon.

    He retired from the national team after the 2019 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Egypt, but agreed to come out of retirement to help the team after Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, surprisingly recalled him for their qualifying games against Liberia and Cape Verde.

    Speaking on his return, Ighalo told Super Eagles media, “I’m happy to be back, it’s been long. Almost two years plus and it’s good to see some of the guys.

    “I have seen Ekong, he’s my strong man and hopefully, I will see other guys soon.”

  • Odion Ighalo returns to Super Eagles squad

    Odion Ighalo returns to Super Eagles squad

    Nigeria have included Al Shabab striker Odion Ighalo in their 24-man squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde Islands.

    Ighalo retired from Super Eagles duty after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where he helped the West African country win bronze.

    His return to Gernot Rohr’s squad is expected their attacking options as they head into their final group games in the World Cup qualifiers before next year’s Afcon tournament in Cameroon.

  • Ighalo listed in Super Eagles squad to face Cape Verde, Liberia

    Ighalo listed in Super Eagles squad to face Cape Verde, Liberia

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has said that Al-Shabab striker, Odion Ighalo, is in his provisional squad for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Liberia.

    The three-time African champions will play the Blue Sharks and the Lone Stars in their final group qualifying games.

    Rohr says he decided to recall Ighalo because of his leadership, although it is still left for the 32-year-old to accept the invitation.

    “I put him in the bigger provisional first list for the next games.

    “He is doing very well at his club, and he still has the ambition to help his country. Because we miss his leadership, we miss his experience. We miss the goals he scores.

    “He was the best scorer at the AFCON, the best scorer during the qualifiers, and I think we have so many young players, and they could learn a lot on the side of such a great player.

    “Ighalo is a very important man. I hope that he can come back,” Rohr said in a Q&A on Elegbete TV.

    Ighalo retired from international duty after finishing as the top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Before his retirement, he scored 16 goals in 35 games for the Super Eagles.

  • Odion Ighalo snubs Man Utd, names club with high career points

    Odion Ighalo snubs Man Utd, names club with high career points

    Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has picked his time in China with Changchun Yatai, as the high point of his career.

    Ighalo joined Yatai from Watford in a transfer worth around £20million.

    At the time, it was the biggest deal for the two clubs.

    During his two-and-a-half-year stint in China, the 32-year-old scored 46 goals in 72 appearances in the Chinese Super League and also won the Chinese FA Cup in 2019.

    “Well, I will say when I signed my deal with China. It was a good contract. And I was pleased with it.

    Ighalo names the EPL clubs he snubbed after leaving Man Utd

    “I was bought from Watford to Changchun Yatai for £20 million and it was a huge transfer and the biggest transfer in the history of both clubs.

    “I went there and played for two years. I did so well with the team. I played about 50 or 52 games with 36 goals.

    “It was one of the best moments in my career life,” Ighalo, who spent a year on loan at Manchester United, told This Day Style when asked what the high point of his career was.