Nigeria Captain William Troost-Ekong Announces Retirement from International Football
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
“Born in diaspora, I am so proud to be part of a group that fully showed its possible to come home to play and represent our nation...”
Nigeria's coach Eric Chelle is expected to name a new captain for the Super Eagles following William Troost-Ekong's surprise retirement from international football. Troost-Ekong, who had been included in the 54-man preliminary squad, announced his decision to retire just 19 days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON 2025 campaign in two weeks, facing Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia in Group C. Nigeria will need to overcome these opponents to advance in their quest for a fourth African title. Wilfred Ndidi, who replaced Troost-Ekong as captain in the World Cup play-offs, is being tipped to take over the role.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The defender had been included in the Super Eagles' 55-man preliminary squad for the tournament, which is set to be held in Morocco.
Troost-Ekong's decision to retire has come as a surprise, given his importance to the national team. The defender has been a key player for Nigeria, and his experience will be missed. The 2025 AFCON is just around the corner, and Nigeria will need to regroup and find a replacement for Troost-Ekong.
He's been left out of the squad, despite having made 83 appearances for Nigeria, a team he's represented since his debut in an AFCON qualifier against Chad on June 13, 2015. Before switching to Nigeria, he played for the Netherlands at U19, U20, and U23 levels.
The player's decision to represent Nigeria was likely influenced by his heritage, and he's gone on to become a key figure for the three-time African champions. However, his recent form has raised questions about his place in the team, leading to his omission from the current squad.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from international football. In 2015, a phone call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later, the big boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited a desire to follow in his footsteps,“ Troost-Ekong wrote in a long post on social media.
“Every single time I have put on that iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I have thought back to that moment, going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams.
“Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of 230+ million. From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands to the oyibo wall and eventually Skippo is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, won three medals and broken a few records, I have lived my dream.”
He added: “A bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, followed by playing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and three incredible AFCON tournaments with a bronze and, most recently silver medal will remain unforgettable.
“Being able to lead Nigeria through the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final and being named Player of the Tournament was something special. To this day, I still wish for a different ending.
“Becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history is an honour I share with every teammate who was a part of those moments. That tournament taught me what it truly means to be Nigerian; that in adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain, and we rise.
“I am at peace knowing that throughout all these milestones, I gave everything I had. Not just myself, but to try to inspire the next generation the same way I was inspired by the legends I looked up to and had the pleasure to fight shoulder to shoulder with.
“It has been fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates, building something great together. Watching them grow into leaders. The time has come to pass on the responsibility to pass on the opportunity and pass on the captaincy.”
The former Udinese and Watford star added: “As a custodian of an iconic shirt, I’ve always known it was only borrowed. Now, it’s the turn of the next generation to continue to write their own story.
“Born in diaspora, I am so proud to be part of a group that fully showed its possible to come home to play and represent our nation. None of this would have been possible without the people around me.
“To every coach, member of staff and most importantly, my teammates past and present who have been part of my international journey. Thank you!
“To the Nigerian fans, the heartbeat of Nigerian football, your support has carried me through every high and every challenge. I will stand with you as you stood with me.”
HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE 🦅🇳🇬
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) December 4, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/qt7MoMZHiW
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