Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has stirred debate after declaring that footballers who end up broke after retirement should face jail time, urging active players to take financial planning seriously.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who recently hung up his boots internationally, shared his views on X, stressing that footballers must treat their short playing careers as a lifetime’s income.
“Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how little you earn, always put something aside for your retirement,” Ideye advised.
He further emphasized the need for players to pray for the right support system, highlighting the value of trustworthy friends and a reliable partner after football.
The 35-year-old’s comments came during an online discussion about ex-players who failed to manage their earnings. Responding to a follower who noted that footballers—especially those who played in Europe—had no excuse not to secure their future, Ideye wrote:
“They should be jailed for life if, after retirement, they can’t feed themselves.”
The debate gained momentum following former defender Taribo West’s emotional remarks at the funeral of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai. West had blasted both the Nigeria Football Federation and the Lagos State Government for allegedly neglecting Nigerian football legends.
He recalled that Rufai’s family, like those of the late Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, had been left struggling financially.
“Can you imagine a family crying and begging within our groups just to raise money? That is madness,” West lamented in a video shared by News Central.
West’s comments reignited public debate on the financial struggles of ex-internationals, with many questioning why some, despite lucrative European careers, fail to secure themselves for life after football.
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