Odion Ighalo provides update on retirement plans
Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Jude Ighalo has given an update on when he will retire from professional football. The 2019 AFCON Golden Boot winner has had a career spanning over 17 years, both locally and internationally.
The 35-year-old began his career at Osun United F.C. in Nigeria before joining Julius Berger in 2006. He then moved to Europe in 2007, signing with FK Lyn and later playing for top clubs like Udinese, Watford, and Manchester United.
Ighalo has played in Europe, China, and Saudi Arabia, and now says he is nearing the end of his football career. Speaking to OmaSports TV, Ighalo stated, “Yeah, not long, because you get tired, the body is not the same way it used to be. Sometimes you enjoy the game, but I don’t kill myself about it. It’s my job and I’m a professional player and try to win games. Five years ago, if I lost a game, I would go crazy and get angry, but now after the next day, I move on, not because I don’t love my job, but because I’m winding up.”
He continued, “Five years ago, I could play three games in five days and recover properly, but now one game takes a longer while to recover. It tells on your body because you’re not young anymore, and sometimes you’re mentally exhausted.”
Ighalo also discussed the challenges of retiring and his preparations for life after football. “If you don’t prepare, you just can’t decide to quit at once. You have to be mentally, financially, and emotionally prepared because it is going to be different. You wouldn’t get the huge salary anymore, and you still have responsibilities, so you have to cut your spending.”
He added, “I think I have been preparing, even though we still want more money, I’m grateful for what God has blessed me with. It’s going to be tough especially mentally because you don’t train and play games anymore. The fame and popularity go down, so I have to be ready, just to focus on my kids and my family.”
Throughout his career, Ighalo made 37 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring 16 goals and providing three assists. As he prepares for retirement, he is focused on transitioning smoothly to life after football.
