Only two players have scored multiple hat-tricks in the Roshn Saudi League this season, aside from the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
The first is Al Hilal's Brazilian sensation Malcom, who just made his RSL debut. The other player is someone you might recognize as Abderrazak Hamdallah, Karim Benzema, or Aleksandar Mitrovic.
However, you would be mistaken. It's actually Odion Ighalo of Al Wehda, who has 12 goals this season after smashing home three against Damac and Al Khaleej, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
Ighalo has scored in double figures for the third straight season, even if he hasn't quite achieved the heights of his 24-goal season from the 2021–22 campaign, in which he played for both Al Shabab and Al Hilal.
With 96 RSL games, the Nigerian has now increased his goal total to 64. It's a very impressive read.
Ighalo becomes one of the RSL's most prolific scorers of recent seasons with a result. To further emphasize his ability in front of goal, since the 2021–22 season, only Anderson Talisca has scored 56 goals compared to Ighalo's 55.
“Strikers enjoy goals,” Ighalo said in an interview with FIFA last year. “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 teams wins, I’m happy.”
Having signed a contract with Al Shabab back in February 2021, the Super Eagles international has had a significant impact on the league in just his fourth season in Saudi Arabia.
Credit: SPL
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola