Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially hung up his boots for the Nigerian national team, bringing an end to a distinguished international career. The 36-year-old defender announced his retirement following Nigeria's failure to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Storied Career Comes to a Close
The news was first broken on Thursday by renowned Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. Romano stated that after 83 international appearances, three major tournament medals, and participation in five flagship competitions, Troost-Ekong was saying goodbye to the Super Eagles.
The centre-back himself confirmed the decision with a heartfelt post on social media. He shared a video alongside the message: "HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter."
Legacy of Leadership and Silverware
Troost-Ekong's tenure with the national team was marked by significant achievements and leadership. Born in the Netherlands, he chose to represent Nigeria and debuted in 2015. Over the next nine years, he became a defensive pillar and eventually the team's captain.
His eight goals in 83 matches for Nigeria included crucial contributions at major tournaments. He represented the country at:
- The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
- The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he won a bronze medal with the U-23 team.
- Three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments: 2019 in Egypt, 2021 in Cameroon, and 2023 in Ivory Coast.
His AFCON journey was particularly decorated. He won a bronze medal in 2019 after Nigeria beat Tunisia. His crowning moment came at AFCON 2023, where his heroic performances led Nigeria to the final and earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, despite the team settling for silver after a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast.
Transition to a New Role
While his time on the pitch for Nigeria is over, Troost-Ekong's connection to the Super Eagles will continue. He has expressed plans to travel with the squad to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as a non-playing member to offer his support and experience to the team.
His retirement marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, closing the chapter on a player whose commitment and passion made him a fan favourite and a respected leader. The search for a new defensive stalwart and captain for the Super Eagles now begins in earnest.
