Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, at 32 years old, has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to a close a decade-long career with the Nigerian national team. The announcement came just two weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria is scheduled to begin its campaign on December 23rd against Tanzania. Sharing a personal message that read, “Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle,” Troost-Ekong confirmed the end of an illustrious journey that saw him earn 83 caps and score eight goals for Nigeria.

Troost-Ekong’s career with the Super Eagles was filled with accomplishments and unforgettable moments. He secured a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and another bronze at the 2019 AFCON. His greatest triumph came at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained Nigeria to the final and was named Player of the Tournament, scoring in the final match. His last full 90-minute appearance for the national team was in a 2-1 win over Lesotho in October, during which he netted his eighth international goal.

The decision to retire was influenced by several factors, including a perceived diminishing role in the squad as younger players like Benjamin Frederick emerged. Troost-Ekong admitted to having sleepless nights over his future with the team, and although teammates urged him to stay, he chose to step aside once he felt the team’s leadership was in capable hands. He revealed two major regrets: not lifting the AFCON trophy with Nigeria and missing the chance to play in another World Cup after featuring in Russia seven years ago. Nigeria’s defeat to DR Congo on penalties in the World Cup play-offs meant that dream slipped away.

Reflecting on his international journey, the Holland-born defender expressed profound pride and gratitude, saying he had lived “beyond my wildest dreams.” He described playing for Nigeria as “the greatest privilege of my life,” and highlighted the joy of inspiring young Nigerian boys to dream of becoming Super Eagles—something he considers one of his most cherished legacies.

Off the pitch, Troost-Ekong was known for his strong advocacy for higher standards within Nigerian football. He frequently raised concerns about the need for improvements in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), calling for better organization, talent discovery, and player development. Notably, he led Super Eagles players in a strike over unpaid wages just before Nigeria’s World Cup play-off game against Gabon, shedding light on long-standing structural issues. He maintained that players exposed to elite football environments have an obligation to push for positive change in Nigerian football.

His retirement prompted an outpouring of tributes from teammates and fans. Striker Victor Osimhen praised Troost-Ekong’s guidance, humility, and professionalism, calling him a legend. Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi described the moment as emotional, acknowledging the defender’s massive influence as a leader—even when his playing time reduced, his voice remained central in fostering unity within the team. Iwobi added that Troost-Ekong’s exit increases leadership responsibilities for the remaining senior players.

As AFCON 2025 approaches, Troost-Ekong will follow the Super Eagles as a devoted fan from Morocco. He admitted to feeling nervous but also incredibly proud, hoping the team can end its 12-year wait for a continental title—a triumph he said he would still feel connected to. He reiterated his commitment to Nigerian football and expressed hopes of contributing to its development in the future. His departure comes at a challenging time for Nigeria's defense, especially with news that Benjamin Frederick will also miss the AFCON, leaving Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey as the primary experienced centre-back pairing for Coach Eric Chelle.