Odion Ighalo’s parents are Paul Ighalo and Martina Ighalo. Odion Ighalo was born on June 16, 1989, in Ajegunle, a ghetto area in Lagos, Nigeria, to Paul and Martina Ighalo. His parents played crucial roles in shaping his early life and football career, despite facing financial challenges. Paul Ighalo was initially unemployed and discouraged his son from pursuing football, while Martina worked as a petty trader to support the family. Despite their limited resources, Martina was supportive of Odion’s passion for football, often providing him with money for boots and transportation to games. The family’s struggles in the tough neighborhood of Ajegunle significantly influenced Ighalo’s determination to succeed in his football career.
Personal Overview
Read More: Yul Edochie Parents, Age, Wife, Children, Siblings, Net Worth
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Odion Jude Ighalo |
| Nickname | Ighalo |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1989 |
| Age as of 2024 | 35 years |
| Ethnicity | Nigerian |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Birth Place | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Hometown | Ajegunle, Lagos |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Parents Name | Paul and Martina Ighalo |
| Father Name | Paul Ighalo |
| Mother Name | Martina Ighalo |
| Net Worth 2024 | Approximately $60 million |
| Sister / Brother | Daniel Ighalo (brother), Mary Atole (sister, deceased) |
| Wife/Husband | Sonia Ighalo (divorced) |
Who is Odion Ighalo?
Odion Jude Ighalo is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda and the Nigeria national team. Born in Lagos and raised in Edo, Ighalo rose from humble beginnings to become one of Nigeria’s most prominent footballers. He has played for various clubs across Europe and Asia, including a notable stint with Manchester United. Ighalo is known for his goal-scoring abilities and has represented Nigeria in international competitions, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Odion Ighalo Parents
Father: Paul Ighalo
Paul Ighalo, Odion’s father, was initially unemployed during Odion’s childhood. He was skeptical about his son’s pursuit of a football career, often discouraging him from playing. Paul’s concerns stemmed from the dangerous environment of Ajegunle, where stray bullets and drug dealers posed risks during street football games. Despite his initial opposition, Paul’s attitude towards Odion’s football aspirations eventually changed as his son’s career progressed and gained success.
Mother: Martina Ighalo
Martina Ighalo, Odion’s mother, worked as a petty trader selling provisions and soft drinks to support the family. She played a crucial role in nurturing Odion’s football dreams, often providing him with money for football boots and transportation to games. Martina’s support extended to shielding Odion from his father’s reprimands when he disobeyed to play football. Her resilience and hard work, including selling sachet water on Lagos streets to make ends meet, significantly influenced Odion’s determination to succeed in his career.
Read More: Victor Osimhen Parents, Age, Wife, Children, Transfer, Net Worth, Games
Odion Ighalo’s Personal Life
Age
As of 2024, Odion Ighalo is 35 years old, having been born on June 16, 1989. His age reflects a career spanning over a decade, during which he has played for numerous clubs across different countries and leagues.
Wife
Ighalo was married to Sonia Ighalo in 2009. However, reports indicate that they divorced about three years ago. The couple’s relationship was a significant part of Ighalo’s personal life during his rise to football stardom.
Children
Odion Ighalo and his ex-wife Sonia have three children together. Their children include a son named Samuel Ighalo and a daughter named Júlia Emboaba. The family has been an important aspect of Ighalo’s life off the football field.
Siblings
Ighalo has several siblings, including a brother named Daniel Ighalo and a sister named Mary Atole, who tragically passed away. His family, particularly his siblings, have been a significant part of his support system throughout his career.
Family
Ighalo’s family has played a crucial role in his life and career. Despite early hardships, including his father’s initial disapproval of his football pursuits, his mother’s unwavering support, and the loss of his sister Mary, family remains an important aspect of Ighalo’s life.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Odion Ighalo’s estimated net worth is approximately $60 million. His earnings come from his football contracts, including a reported £660,000 per month during his time at Manchester United, as well as endorsement deals such as one with Multichoice Nigeria.
Transfer
Ighalo’s most notable transfer was his loan move to Manchester United in January 2020, which he describes as the biggest highlight of his career. He has also played for clubs in Norway, Italy, Spain, England, and China, with his current club being Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League.
Odion Ighalo Education
Information about Odion Ighalo’s formal education is limited in the provided sources. However, it is mentioned that Ighalo left school to focus on his football career. This decision was likely influenced by his passion for the sport and the challenging financial circumstances of his family. Despite leaving formal education, Ighalo’s football journey provided him with valuable life experiences and skills that contributed to his professional success.
Odion Ighalo Career
Read More: Enoch Adeboye Parents, Age, Wife, Children, Siblings, Net Worth, Movie
Odion Ighalo’s professional career began in Nigeria with Prime and Julius Berger before moving to Lyn in Norway in 2007. He then signed with Udinese in Italy, spending most of his tenure on loan at Granada in Spain. In 2014, Ighalo joined Watford, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. He later played in China for Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua. In 2020, Ighalo fulfilled his dream of playing for Manchester United on loan. Internationally, he has represented Nigeria since 2015, participating in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was the top scorer.
FAQs: Odion Ighalo Parents
Who are Odion Ighalo’s parents?
Odion Ighalo’s parents are Paul Ighalo (father) and Martina Ighalo (mother). They raised Ighalo in Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria, under challenging financial circumstances. His mother worked as a petty trader, while his father was initially unemployed during Ighalo’s childhood.
How did Odion Ighalo’s parents influence his football career?
Ighalo’s mother, Martina, was supportive of his football aspirations, often providing money for boots and transportation to games. His father, Paul, initially discouraged Ighalo from playing football due to safety concerns but later changed his stance as Ighalo’s career progressed.
What was Odion Ighalo’s family’s financial situation during his childhood?
The Ighalo family faced significant financial challenges. Ighalo’s mother worked as a petty trader selling provisions and soft drinks and sometimes had to sell sachet water on the streets of Lagos to make ends meet. These hardships motivated Ighalo to pursue his football career diligently.
How many siblings does Odion Ighalo have?
Odion Ighalo has several siblings, including a brother named Daniel Ighalo and a sister named Mary Atole, who unfortunately passed away. His siblings have been an important part of his support system throughout his career.
What role did Odion Ighalo’s parents play in his early football development?
While Ighalo’s father initially discouraged his football pursuits, his mother played a crucial role in supporting his passion. She provided financial support for his football activities and often shielded him from his father’s reprimands when he disobeyed to play football.
Conclusion
Odion Ighalo’s parents, Paul and Martina Ighalo, played pivotal roles in shaping his character and career, despite facing significant challenges. Their contrasting approaches to Ighalo’s football aspirations – his father’s initial skepticism and his mother’s unwavering support – created a dynamic that fueled Ighalo’s determination to succeed. The family’s struggles in Ajegunle, Lagos, instilled in Ighalo a strong work ethic and resilience that have been evident throughout his professional career. Today, as a successful international footballer, Ighalo’s journey from humble beginnings to global recognition stands as a testament to his parents’ influence and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
