Odemwingie Faults Ighalo’s Saudi Advice to Osimhen as ‘Foolishness’

Peter Osaze Odemwingie, a former Super Eagles forward, has issued a sharp rebuke to Odion Ighalo for telling Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen to depart European football for the Saudi Pro League. Ighalo had earlier urged Osimhen to accept rich offers from Saudi clubs, including Al-Hilal’s effort to trigger his previous release clause, saying that a short period in the Middle East would protect his financial future before he came back to Europe in his late 20s. In the end, Osimhen chose to join Galatasaray on a permanent basis. During an appearance on the Rash4Christ Podcast with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Odemwingie rejected the reasoning behind Ighalo’s suggestion. He stressed that competing at the highest level should take priority over quick financial rewards while a player is in his prime years. “Go there at the right time, but if you can play in Europe, it’s a joke to go somewhere else. I understand what he’s trying to say, that titles won’t feed his family, but he’s still earning decent money in Europe. Encouraging someone in his prime to just go for money is foolishness. Top players in the head don’t think that way.”