Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has stirred controversy after insisting that footballers who end up broke after retirement should face jail time.
The 2013 AFCON winner, who recently retired from international football, took to his official X account to caution active players on financial planning. “Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” he advised, stressing that players should view their earnings as a lifetime salary condensed into a few short years.
Responding to an online debate, Ideye went further, declaring: “They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves.” He also emphasized the need for a strong support system and trustworthy partners once a player’s career ends.
The conversation around footballers’ financial struggles was reignited after former Super Eagles defender Taribo West lamented the neglect of Nigerian football heroes during the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai. West recalled the hardships faced by the families of legends like Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, condemning authorities for their lack of support.
Ideye’s remarks have since sparked heated reactions online, with many questioning whether individual responsibility or systemic neglect is to blame for the financial woes of ex-internationals.
