Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Retires From International Football

William Troost‑Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, drawing a close to a decade-long career with Super Eagles. The defender released a heartfelt statement via his social media accounts, describing his time in green and white as the greatest privilege of his life.

He made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015, shortly after being called up by the late coach Stephen Keshi. Over the years he established himself as a pillar of the national team’s defence, eventually rising to captain the side.

By the time of his retirement, he had earned 83 caps and netted eight goals for his country, appearing in five major tournaments and contributing to a generation-defining era for Nigerian football.

His tenure with the Super Eagles featured significant highlights. He was part of the squad that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and played in multiple editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Notably, at the 2023 AFCON he captained the side, scored in the final, and earned recognition as Player of the Tournament. He also became the highest-scoring defender in the history of the competition.

In his announcement, Troost-Ekong reflected on how a phone call from Stephen Keshi in 2015 changed the course of his life. He affirmed that stepping down was “with peace and gratitude,” expressing deep appreciation for the trust placed in him by the nation he represented.

He acknowledged that while his time on the pitch ends, his support for the team and love for Nigeria will “never end.”

The decision comes just weeks before the Super Eagles are due to begin preparations for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, marking the end of a veteran leadership era as the team turns toward a new generation.