Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, has revealed the real reason he called time on his international career with the Super Eagles.
The 30-year-old footballer told Ghanaian journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah, during an Instagram Live session monitored by Igbere TV.
Igbere TV recall that Ighalo announced his retirement from the Super Eagles shortly after winning the top scorer award at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to the Manchester United forward, he retired from international football because the long distance from China to Nigeria and back whenever he was called up for national team duties was wearing him out.
He added that he thought it was the best time to call time on his international career as there were younger players in the team who needed playing time.
“I got injured in the third place game with Tunisia, in the first half I pulled my hamstring, I have been having problems on that hamstring even before the tournament,” he said.
“I needed to stop because it is too long from China to Nigeria for national team duties, I am not getting young again and we have lot of young exciting players coming up, Victor Osimhen doing so well, Iwobi and Chukwueze are there.
“I thought about it, this is the right time for me to leave.”
The footballer added: “It was a difficult decision because I love playing for my country, it’s a country that gave me everything I have today so anytime I am being called upon to play for my country it is a joy to play.
“That decision was difficult but I have to do it for my health for me to play longer in my club career, then I have to stop traveling very far.”
Ighalo made his full debut for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Uganda in March 2015.
He has a total of 34 cups and 15 goals for the national team.
