‘Encouraging Victor Osimhen in his prime to just go for money is foolishness’ – Peter Odemwingie blasts Ighalo

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie has criticised Odion Ighalo’s advice to Victor Osimhen to leave European football for the Saudi Pro League.

Ighalo made the recommendation in July 2025, when Osimhen was considering his next move after an outstanding loan spell at Galatasaray.

Saudi giants Al-Hilal were pushing to sign the striker and were prepared to meet Napoli’s €75 million release clause while offering him a salary package reportedly worth €35 million per season plus bonuses.

Ighalo, drawing on his own experience of moving from Watford to China before eventually joining Manchester United on loan, believed Osimhen could spend two years in Saudi Arabia, secure his financial future and return to Europe while still in his late 20s.

Odemwingie, however, has questioned that approach.

“That is a defence mode, I’ll tell you straight away,” he said on the Rash4Christ Podcast with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade.

“I’ll tell you straight away. It’s defence mode for the decision that he made; good for him, he chose money over European football when he could still play in Europe.”

‘When you’re in your prime’

Ighalo’s career featured prominently in Odemwingie’s argument.

The former Nigeria international left Watford for Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai in 2017 before joining Shanghai Shenhua. His spell in China did not prevent him from returning to England, with Manchester United securing his services on loan in January 2020.

Ighalo was 30 at the time and fulfilled his ambition of playing for the club he had supported as a boy.

He later continued his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Wehda, but Odemwingie believes that route should not necessarily be followed by a player still at the height of his powers.

“But he knows his body, and what his body allows him to do,” Odemwingie continued.

“But when you’re in your prime physical condition, what are you going in a league to play for money?”

Ighalo’s case for financial security

Ighalo’s recommendation was based largely on the financial security that Saudi Arabia could provide.

“My advice to him is to go to Saudi Arabia, play two years, make money and come back to Europe,” Ighalo said.

“I went to China to play for three years, and I came back to Europe to play for Manchester United, and even then, all odds were against me. I was 30 years old, coming back to England.”

He also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding football careers, pointing to Osimhen’s previous injury concerns and the possibility of an injury prematurely ending a player’s career.

“Victor can play five more years in Europe if he wants, and remember, he had an injury that almost took his eyesight,” Ighalo said.

“God forbid that anything happens, he wouldn’t be able to play again, and that means the money he’s made, he’d have to start living on the money he’s already made.”

“We’re footballers; injuries can happen anytime. It’s what you have you’ll fall back to. I’m just giving my advice; I don’t wish him evil.”

Osimhen rejects Al-Hilal

Osimhen ultimately chose to remain in European football, completing a permanent move to Galatasaray in July 2025 after scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances during his loan spell.

Galatasaray paid Napoli the €75 million release clause and handed the Nigeria international a four-year contract running until June 2029.

His deal included a €15 million net annual salary, a €1 million loyalty bonus and €5 million per season in image-rights payments.

The transfer made Osimhen the most expensive player in Turkish football history, while Napoli also secured 10% of any future profit from his sale.

‘Encouraging someone in his prime’ is ‘foolishness’

Odemwingie maintained that Osimhen’s ability to earn a substantial income in Europe made a Saudi move unnecessary at that stage of his career.

“Go there at the right time, but if you can play in Europe, it’s a joke to go somewhere else,” he said.

“I understand what he’s trying to say that titles won’t feed his family, but he’s still earning decent money in Europe.”

He then delivered his strongest criticism of Ighalo’s recommendation.

“Encouraging someone in his prime to just go for money is foolishness,” Odemwingie said. “Top players in the head don’t think that way.”

Osimhen’s decision ultimately kept him in European football, while allowing him to secure a lucrative contract at Galatasaray rather than take up the substantially larger financial package that had been offered by Al-Hilal.