- He is a former Nigerian professional footballer
- He played as a left-back/midfielder
- He spent most of his career time at Chelsea
Celestine Babayaro is a Nigerian former professional football player whose net worth in 2023 is about $5 million, having earned it primarily from his football career.
The footballer began his career at Nigerian side Plateau United before he left for Belgian club Anderlecht.
Still a teenager, he eventually made a name for himself, quickly gaining first-choice status.
Celestine Babayaro Biography
| Full name | Celestine Boyd Jonto Hycieth Babayaro |
| Age | 44 years |
| Height | 1.76m |
| Place of birth | Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Date of birth | August 29 1978 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Footballer |
| Source of wealth | Football earnings |
| Marital status single | Single |
Net Worth
Babayaro has acquired a good amount of net worth from his football career. He earned this through contracts, salaries and bonuses.
At the peak of his profession, he was earning an impressive salary of $31,426 every week.
Personal Life
Celestine Boyd Jonto Hycieth Babayaro was born on August 29 1978 in Kaduna, Nigeria. His was Mr Iroka, a former IT analyst who hails from Amaigbo in Nkwerre local Government area.
His mother’s name is Esther Iroka she hails from Amanato in the Ideator Local Government area, both in Imo state.
Celestine Babayaro. Photo/Sky Sports
He was named Babayaro, which he adopted as a trade name, from their coach.
Babayaro grew up in Kaduna with his family and has a sibling who goes by the name Emmanuel, who is also a professional footballer and current chairman at club Kaduna United.
The former player was so influential and managed to convert his brother Emmanuel from a central midfielder to a goalkeeper.
The family are strong believers in the Roman Catholic faith. Previously, he has been in two relationships one with Cassie Sumner and the other with Alicia Douval.
However, he is single but has a son Ryan Hyacinth who training to be a footballer with Newcastle football academy.
The son emerged as the most valuable player in a small-sided football competition organized by Newcastle United Foundation for schools in Tyneside.
He was once acquitted of indecent assault that made him sue the Daily Star for a heading suggesting that he was charged with rape. However, he won an apology and damages.
In 2011, he was declared bankrupt and five years later, he lost his mother to a short illness.
Career
Babayaro began his playing career at the Nigerian side Plateau United, before signing in for Belgian club Anderlecht. He made a name for himself by quickly gaining first-choice status though he was still a teenager.
He set records as the youngest player to make an appearance and receive a red card in the UEFA champions league, being sent off a match between his club and Steaua Bucuresti. Celestine has a record of being the best Nigerian full-back having lived alongside Taribo West.
The player joined English club Chelsea for a transfer fee of $2.8 million and took much of his career time at the club, playing at the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup Final.
After leaving Chelsea, he joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee and at the Club, he established himself as a first-choice left-back.
At the club, he was given a ban for punching Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt in the face. He suffered several injuries while at Newcastle and could therefore not perform as expected, so the club released him before his contract ended as compensation.
Celestine Babayaro. Photo/Eurosport
Later on, he agreed with LA Galaxy to join them on a three-year contract. At the club, he joined Ruud Gullit who took him to Chelsea as his new coach.
Babayaro soon developed a lack of commitment in training and this got him to the wrong side of the coach and the general manager of the club, being released for a non-stated reason.
After leaving Galaxy, he trained with Portsmouth but the club did not offer him a contract, he thus announced his retirement from football after the incident.
Babayaro was part of a team in different age levels that played for Nigeria and later moved to the senior team that played at the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, in 2004.
Luxury Collection
Even with his impressive net worth, Celestine has kept his life very private not even part of his assets is known though, he has certainly invested well.
FAQs
1. How old is he?
44 years.
2. What is his religious belief?
Christianity.
3. Is he married?
No.
4. Does he have children?
Yes.
5. What is his nationality?
Nigerian.
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