Bola.net – Odion Ighalo touched on Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement some time ago about his reasons for playing in Saudi Arabia because the 38-year-old player closed his doors to European clubs.
Ronaldo reasoned, he saw the quality of the European League was getting lower day by day, except for the English League. That’s why he moved and stayed at Al Nassr.
Ighalo, who played for Al Hilal last season, smiled wryly at this. As a player who first arrived in the Saudi Arabian League, he knows very well what is on the minds of footballers.
“If we are still young, yes we play according to passion. Money is not that important. But at my age, everything is about money,” he told OmaSportsTV.
1 of 3 pages
Ighalo Touches Ronaldo
Odion Ighalo after scoring against Al Nassr in week 25 of the 2022/2023 Saudi Pro League (c) Al Hilal official Twitter
Ighalo also believes that Ronaldo is actually in such a phase. Because if you keep playing for passion, Ronaldo will choose to stay in Europe.
“Does Ronaldo still play because of passion? His income is 100 times more than mine in his career, but he still goes to Saudi Arabia,” said Ighalo.
“Did he do that [pergi ke Arab Saudi] because of passion? No. It’s because of money, bro,” added the 34-year-old player.
2 of 3 pages
Obstructed Physical Condition
For Ighalo, it is legal to play money-oriented football. According to him, playing soccer according to passion cannot last forever because it is hindered by age and physical condition.
“At my age, I don’t know when God will tell me to stop. Maybe not more than three years,” said the former Man United player.
“I’ve been playing football for my passion all my life. Now it’s time to play for money. At the end of a career, it’s all about money.”
3 of 3 pages
Ronaldo’s earnings
What Ighalo said is true. Ronaldo came to Al Nassr in January 2023 with a fantastic contract value.
Within a year, Ronaldo made a total of 200 million Euros. He quickly became the player with the highest salary in the Saudi Arabian League, even in the world.
Source: OmaSportsTV
