William Troost-Ekong Says goodbye to International Football

William Troost-Ekong has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable chapter with the Super Eagles. The defender shared a long and emotional message on his X account, thanking Nigeria for the trust and love he received throughout his career.

Troost-Ekong made 83 appearances for Nigeria and played in five major tournaments. His journey included a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, an unforgettable run at the 2018 World Cup, and several strong AFCON campaigns. Most recently, he helped lead Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final, scoring in the final and winning Player of the Tournament.

In his statement, he spoke about how much it meant to wear the green and white shirt, how proud he was to captain the team, and how grateful he felt for every teammate, coach, and fan who supported him. He said that playing for Nigeria was the greatest honour of his life.

Troost-Ekong thanked the fans directly, calling them the heartbeat of Nigerian football, and promised that although his playing journey is ending, his support for the Super Eagles will remain.

This is not a full goodbye for him. He says he will continue to work within Nigerian communities and stay close to the team in other ways. His message made it clear that his love for Nigeria and its people will always remain strong

Troost-Ekong also posted a short note alongside a video:

“HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE.
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.”

He leaves behind a legacy built on pride, commitment, and loyalty to the national team.