Football is undoubtedly the most loved and followed sport in Nigeria. The game also commands a massive following globally. It is no wonder countless talented footballers are arising from the nation. As a result, many international scouts are constantly checking Nigeria to pick out the next superstar. Football enthusiasts fans are also likely to discover new talents as they follow football events at different levels. The enthusiasm for sports betting has also led to the rise of many betting platforms in Nigeria, making resources like the in depth Frapapa review a critical tool for betting fans. On the other hand, Nigerian footballers are also known to be among the highest-paid athletes globally. This article looks at the top five highest-paid Nigerian footballers.
Alex Iwobi
Club: Everton
Salary: 68000 USD
Alex Iwobi started his club career with The Gunners by joining the youth team in 2004. He made his senior debut in 2015 and scored 15 goals in 149 matches he played for Arsenal. Iwobi joined Everton in 2019 in a 45 million USD move.
He has also featured for the National team in the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 African Cup of Nations. Everton pays him 68000 USD weekly for his services.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Club: Leicester City
Salary: 80000 USD
Iheanacho introduced himself to the football world when he joined Manchester City in the English Premier League. He would later join Leicester City, where he has flourished as a striker thanks to his pace and finishing prowess.
He moved to Leicester City in 2017 in a 25 million GBP transfer. His initial salary was 60000 USD. However, reports from British media suggest the striker earns in excess of 80000 USD per week.
Wilfred Ndidi
Club: Leicester City
Salary: 100000 USD
On his day, Wilfred Ndidi is a top defensive midfielder. Like his other counterparts, he plays for Leicester City in the English Premier League. The strengths that make Ndidi one of the best DMs include ball retrievals, possession, physicality, and long shots.
He has enjoyed an outstanding career in the Premier League, especially since joining the Foxes in January 2017. Leicester saw his potential and tied him down on a six-year contract which saw him earn 100000 USD weekly. That makes him the highest-paid Nigerian in the EPL.
Victor Osimhen
Club: Napoli
Salary: 110,000 USD
Victor Osimhen is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world. He has been a critical player for Napoli, especially this season. Osimhen became the most expensive African striker in history when he joined Napoli for an 80 million USD fee.
During the recent summer transfer window, he almost broke the same record when he was reported to be on Manchester United’s radar. Napoli appreciates his services with a 110000 USD per week salary making him the second highest-paid Nigerian footballer.
Odion Ighalo
Club: Al-Hilal
Salary: 170,000 USD
Odion Ighalo is a popular Nigerian striker that plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab. He was the first Nigerian international to play for Manchester United when he joined the club on loan in January 2020. At the time, he played for the Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua.
He represented Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup. While at Al Shabab, Ighalo earned 170000 USD per week before joining Al-Hilal, where his salary is unknown. But, your guess is as good as mine: he is probably earning more!
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The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
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