“The Money No Too Plenty”: Victor Boniface Opens Up About Football’s Financial Realities in Candid Podcast Moment

In a refreshingly unfiltered moment that's making waves across Nigerian social media, Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface has offered a rare peek behind the glamorous curtain of professional football—challenging long-held assumptions about wealth in the sport.

During a viral podcast clip that featured fellow Nigerian internationals Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, Boniface boldly declared: “The money no too plenty,” igniting debates on the true economic realities of top-level athletes.

While millions idolize footballers for their seemingly extravagant lifestyles and jaw-dropping contracts, Boniface broke the mold with blunt honesty. Speaking on a new podcast that mixes football talk with pop culture and Nollywood banter, the Bayer Leverkusen star revealed that the money, while better than most professions, isn’t as endless as many think.

“People think say once you play ball, you don hammer. But make dem know say na short career, and na big big expenses,” Boniface said. “You fit dey make money, but e no mean say you go dey comfortable forever if you no plan well. Actors fit dey act till dem old. We footballers? Once you reach one age, dem don dey look next option.”

The conversation struck a chord, especially as Ndidi and Onyeka nodded in agreement, each adding their own perspectives about taxes, agent cuts, family responsibilities, and the uncertainty of injuries. The vulnerability displayed by the trio stood in contrast to the usual chest-thumping interviews seen in Nigerian sports media, making the clip instantly relatable to fans and aspiring athletes alike.

The timing of the revelation is significant. With Nigeria’s football scene under renewed global spotlight thanks to the Super Falcons’ WAFCON victory and the ongoing youth investment by the NFF, Boniface’s comments are a timely reminder that fame does not always equate to financial freedom—and that the career window for footballers is alarmingly narrow.

Football analyst and ex-international Ifeanyi Udeze weighed in during a live appearance on Brila FM: “Victor’s right. Many of these boys, after 10 years, no pension, no fallback. It’s only the top 1% that are truly rich. The rest need planning, otherwise na story.”

Social media has exploded with responses. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) praised Boniface for "breaking the illusion" and being "real with the youths," while others questioned whether comparisons to Nollywood, where actors often struggle financially, truly highlight better long-term prospects.

Still, the message is clear: a football career is fleeting, and without smart decisions, even the brightest stars can dim quickly. In an era where footballers are idolized as living gods, Victor Boniface just reminded us that behind the goals, glory, and Gucci belts lies a grind far more human than we often imagine.

Watch the video below