Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a decade-long career with the Super Eagles. He revealed the decision in an emotional statement on Thursday.
In a message posted on Instagram, Troost-Ekong expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country, describing it as the greatest honour of his career. He added that while his time on the pitch has come to a close, his support for the national team will continue.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” he wrote. “The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
His announcement came minutes after football transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano first disclosed the development on X, noting that Troost-Ekong was walking away after 83 caps, three medals and appearances at five major tournaments.
Troost-Ekong, who currently plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father. After representing the Netherlands at youth level, he committed to Nigeria and made his senior debut on June 13, 2015, in an AFCON qualifier against Chad.
He leaves behind a remarkable legacy at the Africa Cup of Nations, where his five goals stand as the highest scored by a defender in the tournament’s history, a record that will remain untouched following his retirement.
The centre-back scored eight goals in 83 appearances for Nigeria. His final outing came as a late substitute against Gabon on November 13.
Troost-Ekong had fallen out of favour under head coach Eric Chelle in recent months and was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s decisive World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, which ended the team’s qualification hopes. He had also slipped behind Benjamin Fredrick in the defensive pecking order.
Despite making Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco, scheduled to kick off on December 21, Troost-Ekong will not be part of the final 28-man list. The squad is expected to open camp in Egypt on December 10.
His departure marks the end of an era for the Super Eagles, who must now prepare for the tournament without one of their most experienced and influential leaders.
