Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has called on footballers to take financial planning seriously, insisting that those who squander their earnings and end up broke after retirement deserve jail time.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who recently announced his retirement from international football, made the remarks on his official X account while reacting to an online debate about ex-players’ financial struggles.
“Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” Ideye advised.
He urged active players to see their wages as a lifetime’s salary earned within a short career span, while also stressing the importance of having the right support system.
“Pray for good people around you and a reliable partner after football,” he wrote.
Responding to a follower who argued that players who featured in Europe had little excuse not to build financial security, Ideye replied bluntly:
“They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves.”
The debate was triggered by ex-defender Taribo West’s emotional outburst at the burial of former goalkeeper Peter Rufai on Friday, where he condemned the alleged neglect of Nigerian football heroes by both the Nigeria Football Federation and the Lagos State Government.
West lamented that Rufai’s family had been left without financial support, recalling similar struggles faced by the families of late Nigerian 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 sparked heated social media debate, with many questioning why some players, especially those with long stints in Europe, failed to secure themselves financially after football.