05/12/2025
Football fans across Nigeria united in tribute as William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s football community has paid a glowing tribute to William Troost-Ekong after the Super Eagles captain announced his retirement from international football on Thursday. His decision brings an end to a remarkable ten-year run with the national team, coming less than three weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Troost-Ekong, 32, confirmed his retirement in an emotional video posted on social media, finally putting to rest days of speculation that began after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles missed out after a tense 4–3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the playoffs.
He made his debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi and quickly became one of the most respected figures in the squad. Looking back on a journey that took him from a late call-up to the captain’s armband, he described playing for Nigeria as the greatest privilege of his career.
“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international football. In 2015, a late call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later, the Big Boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited the desire to follow his footsteps.”
He added that every time he wore the Super Eagles shirt, he remembered that first moment. Leading the team as captain, he said, was beyond anything he ever imagined.
Troost-Ekong thanked fans, coaches and teammates, calling the honour of captaining Nigeria something he will cherish forever.
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, won three medals and broken a few records, I really lived my dreams,” he said.
His announcement sparked messages of praise across African football. Cyriel Dessers called him a “Legend,” Ola Aina wrote “My champion!!!” and Ademola Lookman saluted him as a “Leader.” CAF also honoured him, writing on X: “Legends remain, in their time and long after it. William Troost-Ekong. It’s been a pleasure, captain.”
The news broke less than 48 hours after he was named in Eric Chelle’s provisional 54-man squad for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, set to begin on 21 December.
Although he represented the Netherlands at youth level, Troost-Ekong chose Nigeria for his senior career, earning his first cap in an AFCON qualifier against Chad. He featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, was named a team leader in 2021 and helped Nigeria win bronze at the 2019 AFCON.
His standout tournament came in Ivory Coast in 2023, where he scored three goals, including a powerful header in the final. Nigeria finished second, and his performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, a rare honour for a centre-back.
Troost-Ekong leaves the Super Eagles with 83 appearances and eight goals. Nigeria, drawn in Group C with Uganda, Tunisia and Tanzania, will now head into AFCON 2025 without one of the team’s most influential modern leaders.