Footballer Odion Ighalo has spoken about the central role his Christian faith plays in his life and career, stating that he does not care about being called “Jesus boy” because he knows God is the source of his success. He explained that despite growing up with a Muslim mother and going to the mosque as a child, he later found his own faith in the Catholic church.
According to a video from the Echoo Room podcast from 12:00, he believes his success is not because he is better than other players, but because God gave him the opportunity. This conviction is why he is unafraid to publicly express his faith, stating that after God, his mother comes first in his life.
Odion Ighalo said, “I’m a Christian. I’m not a perfect human being, but I know there’s God up there that blessed me with everything I have today. So I don’t joke with my faith. I don’t care what you call me. I don’t care the noise outside. After everything, God comes first.
People will call me Christian boy, call me a Jesus lover, call me Jesus boy and all that. But at the end, God is still God in my life. That’s why I said after God in my life, because I put him first, is my mother. I don’t joke with my faith. I don’t joke with it. I don’t care what anybody says. I know God is still with me.”
