Odion Jude Ighalo - Retired But Not Tired

Odion Jude Ighalo - Retired But Not Tired

By Gbenga Gboyega

Two spot-kick goals in 20 minutes by Odion Ighalo were enough to overcome Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in Riyadh on Tuesday night, taking his tally to 18 league goals with two assists in the Saudi Pro League, writes BSNSports.com.ng.

The brace sets Ighalo in pole position on the goal scorers chart in Saudi's topflight above the likes of Al Nassr duo Anderson Talisca (16) and Cristiano Ronaldo (11), as well as Hamdallah Abderrazak (16) of table toppers Al-Ittihad FC.

Thirteen players have combined to score 45 league goals for fourth-placed Al Hilal, with Ighalo contributing twenty (20) of those (18 goals, 2 assists) which is at approximately 44.4% goal contribution rate.

The former Super Eagle stated his intentions to retire from international football following his successful stint with the national team at the 2019 AFCON while winning the golden boot with five goals and an assist.

But made a brief return to the fold in March 2022 during the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana on home soil at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, a game that ended in tears for the Nigerian football faithful.

He then made his retirement permanent stating his intentions to focus on family and club football and has not been called up by coach Jose Peseiro ever since. 

Ighalo whose current contract with Al Hilal expires in the summer, also has two goals in two games in the Saudi King's Cup, and is poised for new adventures come the end of the 2022-23 campaign.