By Staff
Following the recent criticism former Super Eagles defender Taribo West leveled at the Federal Government over the neglect of retired footballers, his 1999 salary has resurfaced online, sparking buzz.
Taribo West, who played for AC Milan and Inter Milan, condemned authorities for abandoning ex-players during times of struggle, citing the recent deaths of Peter Rufai, Rasheed Yekini and Christian Chukwu as examples of the system’s failures.
Peter Rufai, a former national team goalkeeper, passed away in Lagos last month after battling a long-term illness, while Chukwu, another ex-Super Eagles captain and coach, had died shortly before.
The outspoken defender called out the lack of government support for football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Chukwu, and Rufai following their retirements.
Fellow former players, Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia, also backed Taribo West’s claims, criticizing authorities for failing to assist with funeral arrangements and expenses.
Amid the debate, attention turned to Taribo West’s past earnings. Reports from All Africa and PM News revealed that he earned £1.24 million (?193 million) during his 1999 season at AC Milan, making him one of the world’s highest-paid players at the time.
Adjusted to today’s exchange rate, this amounts to about ?2.7 billion, sparking mixed reactions from the public.
Controversies surrounding Rufai’s funeral, held on August 22, 2025, further fueled the debate.
The outspoken defender called out the lack of government support for football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Chukwu, and Rufai following their retirements.
Fellow former players, Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia, also backed Taribo West’s claims, criticizing authorities for failing to assist with funeral arrangements and expenses.
Amid the debate, attention turned to Taribo West’s past earnings. Reports from All Africa and PM News revealed that he earned £1.24 million (?193 million) during his 1999 season at AC Milan, making him one of the world’s highest-paid players at the time.
Adjusted to today’s exchange rate, this amounts to about ?2.7 billion, sparking mixed reactions among Nigerians.
These athletes, football players especially, gained fame and wealth as a result of their exploits with the national team, which allowed them to secure lucrative contracts with European and other foreign clubs.
While the nation is grateful for their exploits in the nation’s colors and has often rewarded them for such, the sense of entitlement has seemingly gone too far for most Nigerians, who feel that better money management, as well as smarter lifestyle choices, would have ensured a more stable and secure future for these athletes.
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