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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially retired from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable decade-long career with Nigeria’s senior national team.
The 31-year-old defender confirmed the news on Thursday in an emotional Instagram post, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to wear the green and white jersey.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” he wrote.
“The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
His announcement came shortly after football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed the development on X, noting that Ekong’s retirement closes a chapter that saw him earn 83 caps, win three medals, and feature in five major tournaments.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, Troost-Ekong represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria.
He made his Super Eagles debut on June 13, 2015, in an AFCON qualifier against Chad and went on to become one of the team’s most consistent and respected leaders.
His record of five goals at the Africa Cup of Nations stands as the highest scored by a defender in the tournament’s history, a milestone that now becomes untouchable following his exit.
Troost-Ekong, who currently plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, scored a total of eight goals in 83 appearances for Nigeria.
His last cap came as a late substitute against Gabon on November 13.
In recent months, he fell down the pecking order under head coach Eric Chelle, featuring sparingly and remaining unused during the World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, which ended Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
