Iheanacho: My teammates aren’t jealous of my achievements

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has dispelled rumours that his teammates at Manchester City do not celebrate with him when he scores because they are jealous of his achievements.

In a chat with TheCable, the football star said he does not have any issues with his club mates.

“There’s no issue or conspiracy against me. I celebrate my goals the way I want to celebrate,” he said.

“I think that when you score a goal, you are supposed to acknowledge the person who gave you the assist, before going ahead to celebrate. But I think that’s the way I celebrate my own goals.

“No issues at all with team mates.”

Iheanacho also disagreed with those saying Nigeria could have won gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics if he was in the team.

“In football, anything can happen. What if I had gone to the Olympics and we performed the way we did? Anyway, that’s not what I pray for… The guys who went really did well, and worked hard for the country before getting the bronze medal.

“Though, if I had been there I would have given my best to be part of the team to achieve success.”

Iheanacho, who has secured eight goals in 26 outings for City, refused to comment about his earnings at the club.

He also did not confirm or deny the reports that he is now Nigeria’s highest earning professional player.

“I don’t want to talk about contract or money issue,” he said.

“But I think extending my contract with Manchester city is good. It’s a good thing for me.

“I will continue to give my best to the team, I am going to help them to get the goals that they are looking for in the club.

“So, I am very happy for my contract extension.”

Iheanacho joined Manchester City’s academy in 2014, but was lucky to have followed the team on a pre-season tour to the US.

He played and scored in the first match of the tour, which was against Sporting Kansas City, and repeated the same feat in the next game against Milan.

He was formally drafted into City’s main squad in August 2015.