Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface, has explained that contrary to the widespread assumption that footballers are wealthy, many footballers are not as rich as presumed.
He explained that footballers spend significant amounts of their earnings on responsibilities, as well as assisting family members and fans.
The Bayer Leverkusen star noted that unlike most other professions, footballers have very limited active years due to the nature of the sport, which also affect the duration of their earnings.
Boniface spoke in a recent episode of The Culture League podcast, which also featured his Super Eagles teammate, Frank Onyeka, and actress, Jemima Osunde.
He said, “A lot of People think we’re rich, but there’s no money in football. I will explain.
“In the film industry, you can work at the age of 35, you can even get your breakthrough at the age of 40. But with football, at the age of 35, you are done. Then you have to face the real life.”
Jemima Osunde inferred, “But you [footballers] usually start off early na.”
Boniface replied, “Yeah, but if you don’t get it before 25, 26, then forget it. But with movies and other professions, you can come into the scene at old age… Everyone thinks we [footballers] are making money, they make the money…”
Osunde inferred, “Even with just five years of football with good pay, my life is changed forever.”
Boniface rebuffed, “No. That’s where you got it wrong. Because you will spend more also. You will assist family and even outsiders. If you’re travelling, you have to keep money for tipping.”
