Super Eagles forward, Odion Jude Ighalo believes Saudi Arabian and Asian champions, Al Hilal can challenge Real Madrid to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ighalo who is currently playing in the Saudi Arabian Pro League with Al Hilal, has enjoyed a fruitful career in the middle east with Al Shabab before swapping Riyadh for Al Hilal in January 2021 – just days before they debuted in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021.
In an interview with FIFA.COM, Odion Ighalo discussed his goalscoring exploits, Al Hilal’s ambitious quest to beat the likes of Real Madrid and Flamengo to trophy which will take place in Morocco between February 1 to 11.
“It was exciting that they were playing in the Club World Cup and part of the reason I joined them, because I wanted to experience that,” Ighalo speaks of his experience after joining Al Hilal days before their Club World Cup debut last year.
“I was happy to join them. Straight after I joined them, we played in the tournament. It was great. I enjoyed every bit of it. I was happy, even though it was very tough playing against big teams like Chelsea. It was a great experience for me and the team.”
The former Watford and Manchester United striker scored in Al Hilal’s 6-1 thrashing of Al Jazira in the first game of the tournament and was a constant threat in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the semi-finals.
“That campaign was good. They way we played against Chelsea, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we gave it everything we had that day. We fought from the first minute to the last. Unfortunately we lost, but I think we can be really satisfied with what we did in that game. We were really happy.”
The Asian Football authorities nominated reigning Asian champions Al Hilal to represent the region at the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. Ighalo says the club plays to win every tournament including the FIFA Club World Cup.
“This is a very ambitious club. They don’t understand losing. Since I joined, every tournament we go out there to win. The league, the Champions League, the King’s Cup, the Club World Cup. Every game we play is like a final. When you put on the shirt of Al Hilal, you always have to win. We want to go for every trophy. It’s exactly the same for this Club World Cup.
“Everything is possible in football. Nowadays you can’t predict what’s going to happen. If you work hard and fight hard on the field of play you can do anything. Look at Morocco at the World Cup, for instance. Nobody gave them a chance. They got to the semi-final and they almost got to the final. I believe Al Hilal can fight and get to the final and win it, because in football it’s possible to do anything when you work hard and believe in yourself.”
Odion Ighalo has been in a blistering form since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2021, scoring 22 times for Al-Shabab in 32 games and has netted 26 times for Al-Hilal in 35 matches.
“I’m happy. Strikers enjoy goals. Sometimes the goals don’t come, but I work hard and give my best to contribute. It’s a team effort. My target is to help the team win, to help the team keep progressing. Sometimes I score goals, sometimes I don’t, but I’m happy as long as we’re winning. “As a striker though, you want to score goals to boost your confidence. I try to get a goal in every game I play. If not, I try to provide an assist. But ultimately, as long as my team wins, I’m happy,” he said.
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