'Their own cup of tea' - Ex-Man Utd star fires back at fans unhappy about his Super Eagles return

Al Hilal striker Odion Ighalo has fired back at Super Eagles fans who are criticizing his return to the national team.

The former Manchester United and Watford star had called time on his international career shortly after winning the top scorer award at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

In November 2021, Ighalo finally bowed to the pressure mounted by Nigeria Football Federation supremo Amaju Pinnick and the then manager Gernot Rohr to reverse his decision to quit the national team and featured in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde that same month.

At the age of 32, Ighalo believes he still has something to offer to the Super Eagles, amid suggestions in some quarters that he is blocking the chances of the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and Paul Onuachu by not sticking to his decision to call it quits.

"I don't pay attention to that.  Everything they're saying is their own cup of tea. At my age, I just signed to a new team. This is my 11th team in my professional career," Ighalo said to ESPN.

"I have been called up, I will take my bag and I will go to represent my country and give my best on 100%.

"As long as I come out from every game and I'm satisfied with my performance -- whether it is a win, loss, or draw -- then that's it. I'm a professional footballer.

"This is what I've been doing for 17-18 years so why would I be worried about what people say? "

Ighalo has been at his brilliant best in 2021-2022, scoring 18 goals combined for Al Hilal and Al Shabab in 25 appearances.

Igho Kingsley