Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable ten-year journey with the Super Eagles.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram on Thursday, the defender expressed deep appreciation for the honour of wearing the national colours.
He described representing Nigeria as “the greatest privilege” of his career and said that although his playing days for the country have ended, his support will remain unwavering as he embraces a new chapter.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Troost-Ekong revisited the moment his international career began, paraphrasing the impact of the late Stephen Keshi:
“Back in 2015, a call from the late Coach Stephen Keshi changed everything for me. Within a month, he handed me my debut. His faith in me sparked a drive to follow the path he set.”
He noted that every time he wore the Super Eagles jersey, he remembered that life-changing moment. Rising from a Dutch-born youngster to the “Oyibo Wall” and eventually the team’s captain, he said, was an honour he will cherish forever.
Summarising his accomplishments, the former skipper highlighted key moments: 83 senior caps,Five major tournaments,Three medals, Record-breaking milestones, including becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history
He recalled the bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, competing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and three memorable AFCON campaigns that delivered a bronze and most recently a silver medal.
His final major tournament with Nigeria, AFCON 2023, stood out emotionally. He led the team to the final, scored in the match, and was named Player of the Tournament, achievements he said he will always hold dear despite wishing for a different outcome.
Troost-Ekong added that he takes pride in inspiring younger players just as he was inspired by the legends before him. He noted that the Super Eagles captaincy was only ever “borrowed,” and the time has come to hand the responsibility to the next generation.
In another paraphrased section of his farewell message, he acknowledged his journey as a diaspora-born Nigerian:
“I’m grateful to be part of a group that proved it’s possible to return home and proudly represent our nation.”
He extended gratitude to coaches, teammates, staff, and especially Nigerian fans, whom he described as the “heartbeat of Nigerian football.”
Troost-Ekong stressed that this is not a permanent goodbye, noting that his work in Nigerian communities will continue and that his love for the team remains strong.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old defender was part of Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco this December. The final list will be reduced to 28 players, with camp scheduled to begin in Egypt on December 10, ahead of the tournament kickoff on December 21.
