Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself entangled in a legal battle after a lawsuit was filed against him in a Florida District Court on November 27, 2023.
The suit alleges that Ronaldo's promotion of Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, resulted in financial losses for the plaintiffs – Michael Sizemore, Mikey Vongdara, and Gordon Lewis.
The exchange itself is under scrutiny for purported lapses in anti-money laundering measures and has recently been slapped with a $4.3 billion settlement demand from US authorities.
However, Ronaldo is not the first football star to face the legal heat. This article explores instances where Super Eagles players, including Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Jay Jay Okocha, and Obafemi Martins, found themselves in the midst of legal disputes.
Ronaldo faces binance lawsuit: Super Eagles stars know the legal playing field too well
Victor Osimhen: A legal tussle with family ties
In 2022, the Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen faced a lawsuit filed by his former agent, who also happens to be his brother-in-law.
The agent alleged that Osimhen retained the majority of the commission from a transfer, citing familial financial needs in Nigeria as the player's reasoning.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Contractual strife and legal peril
In 2017, Kelechi Iheanacho encountered legal troubles when former American managers, First Eleven Management, sued him for breaching a contract to sign with Stellar. The Super Eagles forward faced the prospect of a two-year jail term in the United States.
Jay Jay Okocha: Money laundering allegations
Renowned Super Eagles football legend Jay Jay Okocha faced legal woes in 2019 when he was sued for alleged money laundering.
The closed-door hearing included charges related to the acquisition, use, possession, and concealment of criminal property, with incidents dating back to 2015.
Obafemi Martins: Financial dispute with former agent
In 2009, Obafemi Martins, then a striker for Newcastle United, was embroiled in a legal battle with his former agent, Chris Nathaniel. Nathaniel claimed that Martins failed to compensate him for his share from deals arranged during their professional collaboration.
This article was most recently revised and updated 10 months ago
