Odion Ighalo – Biography, Childhood, Career, Family, Accomplishments & Awards

Born on June 16, 1989, Odion Jude Ighalo is a Nigerian football player who is presently on loan at Manchester United in the English Premier League (EPL). 2019 saw the top Nigerian player, one of the most well-known athletes the nation has ever produced, announce his retirement from the world of international football.

ODION IGHALO BIOGRAPHY FACTS, AGE, INFO

Full Name:	Odion Jude Ighalo
Date of Birth:	16 June 1989
Age:	34 years
Place of Birth:	Lagos, Nigeria
State of Origin:	Edo
Nationality:	Nigerian
Citizenship:	Nigeria, Italy
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	73 kg (161 Ib)
Father:	Paul Ighalo
Mother:	Martina Ighalo
Spouse:	Sonia Ighalo (married 2009)
Children:	Samuel Ighalo (son), Júlia Emboaba (daughter)
Siblings:	Daniel Ighalo (brother), Mary Atole (sister)
Position:	Striker
Strong Foot:	Right
Current Club/Team:	Manchester United (on loan)
Jersey/Kit Number:	#25
Net Worth:	$60 million
Zodiac Sign:	Gemini

ODION IGHALO CHILDHOOD/EARLY LIFE & FAMILY

Ighalo was born on the 16th of June 1989, in Ajegunle, a ghetto area in Lagos State, known for harbouring several musical as well as football talents. His father, Paul Ighalo was unemployed while Ighalo was a young boy. His mother, Martin Ighalo, worked as a petty trader, selling provisions as well as soft drinks.

Ighalo was raised in a household with limited resources. Ighalo and his siblings’ mother occasionally had to market sachet water on the streets of Lagos in order to make ends meet. His mother gave her little support to her son, but his father specifically discouraged him from playing football when they found out about his passion in the game. Ighalo’s mother gave him money so he could buy football boots and pay for his own transportation to games.

Ighalo, a stubborn football player, disobeyed his father. Ighalo and his friends occasionally had to hide from the police and drug dealers during football games to avoid getting hit by errant shots.

His father disapproved of his decision to play football mostly for this reason. Ighalo’s mother would shield him from his father’s reprimands even after he disobeyed his commands.

Ighalo left school to concentrate on football, and he played on the Macarena, a local football field in Ajegunle that had hosted numerous of the country’s greatest players, including Kanu Nwankwo. The moment Ighalo’s Argentinean-born FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman recognized his potential and brought him to Norway for a trial marked a turning point in his career.

ODION IGHALO EARLY/YOUTH CAREER

Ighalo played for local football clubs in Nigeria. During his youth career, he played for teams like Julius-Berger FC and Prime FC. He was discovered by Marcelo Houseman while performing for one of these clubs, and it was through Atta Aneke that he was later brought to Norway when performing for Lyn.

ODION IGHALO’S GLOBAL CAREER AND AWARDS

Ighalo received his first call-up to the Nigerian senior football squad in March 2015. Despite receiving an invitation to compete, he chose not to participate at the Olympics in 2016. He participated in the Russia-2018 FIFA World Cup.

Ighalo said that after giving what was thought to be a subpar performance, he received harsh criticism and threats to his family’s life. Out of all the players who qualified for the 2019 AFCON, he scored the most goals. He was a well-known participant in the competition who assisted Nigeria in finishing third. Additionally, in the 2019 African Cup of Nations, his team was named Team of the Tournament. Following his AFCON achievements, he declared his retirement from international football.

ODION IGHALO’S EARNINGS, ENDORSEMENTS, AND NET WORTH

Right now, Ighalo’s estimated net worth is $60 million. His pay under his contract with Manchester United could reach £660,000 per month.  He has an endorsement deal with Multichoice Nigeria.

ODION IGHALO PERSONAL LIFE, WIFE, RELATIONSHIP & TRIVIA

In 2018, Odion Jude Ighalo, his spouse Sonia Ighalo, and their children.

Sonia Ighalo is the spouse of Ighalo. Three children have been born to the couple after their 2009 wedding. They divorced about 3 years ago

Ighalo opened an orphanage in 2017; the building cost as much as £1 million. The impoverished suburban village of Ijagun, Lagos, is home to the orphanage.