Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has urged professional footballers to take financial planning seriously, warning that players who end up broke after retirement “deserve jail time.”
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, who recently announced his retirement from international football, shared the advice via his official X account, stressing that active players must view their wages as a lifetime’s salary earned within just a few years.
“Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” Ideye wrote.
The 35-year-old forward also emphasized the importance of having the right support system, advising players to pray for “good people and a reliable partner” to guide them after their playing careers end.
His comments came in response to a heated social media debate about the financial struggles of ex-footballers. A follower argued that professionals who played in Europe have little excuse not to secure financial stability, prompting Ideye’s blunt reaction:
“They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves.”
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The debate was triggered by ex-Inter Milan defender Taribo West’s emotional outburst during the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai on Friday. West accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government of neglecting Nigerian football legends, lamenting that Rufai’s family had been left without support.
West also recalled similar financial struggles faced by the families of late icons Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” West said in a video posted by News Central.
His remarks reignited the long-standing debate about the financial woes of Nigerian football legends, with many questioning why some ex-internationals, particularly those with long stints in Europe, fail to build financial security despite their earnings.
