Odion Ighalo Urges Victor Osimhen to Consider Saudi Move for Long-Term Financial Security

Odion Ighalo has advised Victor Osimhen to consider a short-term move to Saudi Arabia to secure financial stability before returning to European football, citing the heavy financial responsibilities African players often bear.

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has advised fellow Nigerian international Victor Osimhen to consider a financially rewarding move to the Saudi Pro League, highlighting the importance of long-term security and the unique financial responsibilities faced by African footballers.

In a recent interview, Ighalo drew on his own professional journey to support his recommendation. The ex-Manchester United and Al Hilal striker explained that a short stint in Saudi Arabia would allow Osimhen to secure his financial future while remaining young enough to return to top-level European football.

“My advice to Osimhen is to go to Saudi Arabia,” Ighalo said. “He should play there for two years, earn enough money, and then return to Europe. I played in China for years and still returned to Europe to play for Manchester United at the age of 30. Osimhen is only 26. If he plays in Saudi Arabia for two years, he’ll be 28 and can still enjoy another five years in Europe at the highest level.”

Ighalo, who enjoyed lucrative spells in the Chinese Super League with Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua before his dream move to Manchester United, spoke candidly about the financial expectations placed on African players. He contrasted their obligations with the situations of global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“They are not Africans,” he noted. “Their money is theirs to enjoy. But in Africa, when you make it, the whole community often shares in your success. Your earnings are expected to support not just your immediate family, but extended relatives, friends, and even people from your hometown.”

Osimhen, currently one of the most sought-after strikers in world football after a prolific spell with Napoli, has been linked with top clubs across Europe and the Middle East. His next move is the subject of intense speculation, especially as Saudi Arabia continues to attract elite players with staggering wages and ambitious football development plans.

The Saudi Pro League, now home to global icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, and N’Golo Kanté, has repositioned itself as a serious destination for world-class talent. Ighalo believes Osimhen, with his youth and talent, could strike a balance between securing generational wealth and maintaining a competitive career in elite European football.

Whether Osimhen will follow Ighalo’s advice remains to be seen, but the conversation underscores a broader reality: for many African footballers, the decision isn’t just about sporting ambition—it’s about ensuring financial stability for entire communities that depend on their success.