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, closing a remarkable ten-year journey with the national team less than three weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Naija News reports that Troost-Ekong, 32, confirmed the news in an emotional video shared on social media, ending days of speculation that followed Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles were denied a place after a tense 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the playoffs.
Troost-Ekong made his debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi and has since been one of the most respected figures in the squad. Reflecting on a career that took him from a late call-up to the captain’s armband, he described playing for Nigeria as the “greatest privilege” of his life.
“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 said.
“Every single time I put on the iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I have thought about that exact moment. Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams.”
He thanked his supporters, coaches, and teammates for the journey, saying that captaining Nigeria is an honour he will always hold close.
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, three medals, and broken a few records, I really lived my dreams,” he said.
His announcement sparked an outpouring of praise across African football. Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers called him a “Legend”. Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina wrote “My champion!!!” while Ademola Lookman hailed him as a “Leader”.
The Confederation of African Football also acknowledged his impact, writing on : “Legends remain, in their time and long after it. William Troost-Ekong. It’s been a pleasure, captain.”
The retirement news came less than 48 hours after his name appeared in Eric Chelle’s provisional 54-man list for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, which begins on 21 December.
Though he represented the Netherlands at the youth level, Troost-Ekong committed his future to Nigeria and earned his first senior cap in an AFCON qualifier against Chad. He went on to play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and was appointed one of the team’s leaders in 2021. He helped Nigeria win bronze at the 2019 AFCON.
His finest tournament arrived in the Ivory Coast in 2023. He scored three goals, including a towering header in the final, as Nigeria finished second behind the hosts. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, a rare recognition for a centre-back.
Troost-Ekong leaves the Super Eagles with 83 appearances and eight goals to his name. Nigeria, drawn in Group C alongside Uganda, Tunisia and Tanzania, will now press forward into AFCON 2025 without one of the most influential figures of the modern era.