William Troost-Ekong, the stalwart defender and captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles, has officially announced his retirement from international football, drawing a wave of tributes from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), teammates, and fans across the nation.
An Emotional Farewell Announcement
On Thursday, 5 December 2025, Troost-Ekong shared an emotional statement on his official X account, marking the end of his international career. He reflected on the profound honour of representing Nigeria, a nation that took him in and trusted him. "Every single time I put on that iconic shirt, I thought back to the moment Stephen Keshi gave me my debut," he wrote.
He expressed immense pride in his achievements, which included 83 caps, appearances in five major tournaments, and captaining the national team. Acknowledging the collective spirit of the squad, he stated, "In adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain and rise." He concluded by passing the baton, saying, "It has been fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates... but now, it’s the turn of the next generation."
Teammates and Football Bodies Pay Respect
The news prompted immediate reactions from the football community. Fulham midfielder and Super Eagles teammate, Alex Iwobi, described the retirement as a sad moment, highlighting Troost-Ekong's immense role. "He was a big member of the team... he has really helped the Super Eagles and helped me as well," Iwobi said.
Iwobi emphasized the void left by the defender's departure, noting his leadership and role in strengthening team unity. "His voice, the way he led us and the way he made the togetherness in the team strong... he will be sorely missed as he was a big leader," he added.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) published a report on its website, hailing the Nigerian centre-back for blessing football with his talent. They stated his retirement "marks the end of an era for Nigeria," describing him as "a symbol of pride, perseverance and national identity." CAF also praised him on X, posting, "Legends remain, in their time and long after it. William Troost-Ekong. It’s been a pleasure, captain."
A Legacy Celebrated Across Nigeria
Nigerian sports media and fans joined in celebrating the career of the former Watford and Udinese defender. The platform Afro Ballers recounted his journey from representing the Netherlands at youth level to switching allegiance to Nigeria, securing Olympic and AFCON medals, a World Cup appearance, and the captain's armband over nine years of service.
Sports journalist Onyinyechi Ogu Obaroh posted a heartfelt tribute, calling him "The heartbeat in our backline" and praising his humility. "Today you hang your boots not your legacy. Captain William Troost-Ekong. Leader. Legend," she wrote.
Fan pages like Soar Super Eagles and the team's official X admin also bid farewell, thanking their "skipper" for his service. However, some voices, like Sports Dokitor, expressed concern that his sudden retirement might be linked to ongoing issues like unpaid bonuses from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), calling for a better send-off for the active player.
Despite the circumstances, the consensus is clear: William Troost-Ekong departs as a true Super Eagle—a warrior, a leader, and a legend whose legacy will inspire the next generation.
