Saudi Prince promises Odion Ighalo N122m as Al-Hilal books Club World Cup final

Al Hilal became the first-ever Saudi Arabia team to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final after defeating Flamengo 3-2 in the semifinal.

Although Ighalo was unable to score in the five-goal thriller, the Super Eagles star was in the starting lineup as his Al-Hilal side managed to send the Copa Libertadores champions packing.

In Tuesday’s semi-final, Salem Al Dawsari’s two penalties and a close-range goal from Luciano Vietto helped Al Hilal to a win as Flamengo was down to 10 men due to the first-half stoppage time dismissal of midfielder Gerson.

Following the victory, Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud has pledged 1 million Saudi Riyal (£222k) to each Al-Hilal player for reaching the final and a further 1 million if they win.

In a club statement issued on Wednesday, quoting the Saudi Press agency confirmed the pledge of Prince Abdulaziz al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister.

Additionally, the Saudi sports channel SSC said that the nation’s sports minister would award each player with 500,000 Riyals for Flamengo’s triumph.

“Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud has pledged one million Saudi Riyal (£222k) to each Al-Hilal player for reaching the Club World Cup final and a further one million if they win the tournament,” the statement reads.

“The win is a tangible confirmation of the great distinction that Saudi sports have experienced recently.”

Ighalo will be the first Nigerian since Victor Moses in 2012 to feature in a Club World Cup Final when they face Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at Morocco’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.