Sports

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Published

12 months ago

April 24, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo and Odion Ighalo

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.

Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.

Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.

Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.

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He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.

“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”

Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.

At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.

Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.

After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Sports

Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

Published

15 hours ago

April 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Virgil van Dijk

Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two years contract that has now put an end to the questions about his future after months of speculation.

The 33-year-old Dutch center-back had been inside the final season of his previous deal, which was due to expire in the summer of 2025. But he has now penned an extension seven years after arriving from Southampton in a $95m (£75m/€90m) switch.

Van Dijk, who was named Liverpool captain when Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023, has played almost 300 games for the Reds.

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He has already won the Premier League and the Champions League.

Van Dijk always wanted to remain on Merseyside. “My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else,” he told reporters including from Liverpool.com in October.

“What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.

“Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys [the media] will know it as well. But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.”

Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

Sports

Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years

Published

21 hours ago

April 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years

Arsenal pulled off a historic victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a composed and clinical performance in the Spanish capital. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second half, redeeming himself after missing an earlier penalty. Vinícius Júnior responded with a goal for Madrid, offering the hosts a glimmer of hope.

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But Gabriel Martinelli sealed the deal with a late winner, ensuring Arsenal ended Real Madrid’s hopes of defending their title.

The Gunners now advance to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final clash.