Nigerian music sensation Joeboy found himself on the losing side of football fandom after a bold N3 million bet backfired when Arsenal triumphed over Real Madrid with a dominant 3-0 win in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal.
The match, held at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, left the singer with more than just disappointment — it cost him a hefty payout he had hoped to claim if Madrid had secured the win.
Hours before the high-stakes clash, Joeboy took to social media to flaunt his betting slip, confidently captioned, “Cashing out on Arsenal tears tonight!” With Real Madrid favored in his prediction, the artist stood a chance to walk away with a staggering N10.3 million.
But as the game unfolded, it became clear that Arsenal had other plans. Declan Rice stepped up with two sensational free kicks, stunning fans and punters alike, and Mikel Merino sealed the deal with a third goal, crushing Joeboy’s expectations.
The singer’s once-boisterous mood quickly faded as Arsenal asserted control over the match. When the final whistle blew, Joeboy could only muster a single-word post: “Goodnight.”
A far cry from the energy and confidence he displayed just hours earlier, his brief message mirrored the sentiment of many disappointed Madrid fans left speechless by the Gunners’ commanding performance.
Now, all eyes turn to the second leg of the quarterfinal clash, set to take place at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday. While Arsenal will be looking to ride the momentum of their emphatic victory, Joeboy might be reconsidering his betting strategies — or perhaps just watching from the sidelines this time.
Either way, the singer’s costly gamble has become a talking point, blending the worlds of entertainment and football in a moment fans won’t soon forget.
