Football is one of the biggest sports in the world. Footballers are very rich, yes everyone will agree. When someone becomes an European footballer, everyone assumes he will live in fortune.
Unfortunately, not all of these footballers have a happy ending. Some of them lived in fortune but things went wrong and they found themselves living in lack
I present to you the 5 Nigerian professional footballers that dropped from riches to rags
1. Wilson Oruma
He is a former Nigerian midfielder born on 30th December, 1976. He started his football career in Brendel Insurance and later played most of his career in RC Lens
Oruma was one of the few Nigerian players who made millions in football. He was defrauded $6m by a clergyman and became broke after which he suffered from mental disorder for more than six years. All the fortune Oruna had vanished into thin air and It's a shame no group or persons have come to his aid in his trying times. Below is the picture of Oruma in his current state
2. Rasheed Yekini
He was a Nigerian goalkeeper born on 23rd October, 1963. Rasheed Yekini was the first Nigerian player to score in the World Cup (Atlanta 96). He started his professional career in Nigerian Premiere League and later proceeded to play for Vitoria de Setubal where he experienced his memorable football moments.
Rasheed Yekini developed bipolar disorder, depression and other psychiatric condition which claimed his life on 4th May, 2012. Unfortunately, he was not given a befitting burial as he died as a poor man. Below are the pictures of his corpse and where he was buried
3. Celestine Babayaro
He's a former Super Eagle's left-back player and has played for one of the biggest clubs in England and Belgium. He was said to have lived a flamboyant lifestyle as one of the highest paid African players. According to BBC report, Babayaro declared himself bankrupt at a court in Croydon in 2011 and he's now living from hand to mouth.
4. Ifeanyi Udezee
He's a former Super Eagle's left-back key player. He was born on 21st July, 1980. He started his career in Brendel Insurance and later proceeded to Thessaloniki in 2003. Udeze later joined West Bromwish Albion on a loan where he played for a few years.Things took a turn for him as sources close to him confirmed that he was in deep debt after he squanded his fortune on gambling.
5. Taribo West
He's a former Nigerian defender born on 26th March, 1974. He played for Auxerre in French football and later proceeded to play for Inter Milan. At the peak of his career, he was regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe between 1997 and 1999
Taribo West was said to be going through financial difficulties when he made bad investment in his marriage. Now, Taribo can be seen on the streets of Lagos preaching and trying to win souls for Christ.
In life, nothing is guaranteed. Anyone can move from riches to rag if he lacks foresight and planning
I drop my pen at this juncture. Thank you for reading.. Your upvote is appreciated
REFERENCES
Comments