Nigeria’s iconic centre-back and captain, William Troost-Ekong, has retired from international football at the age of 32, concluding an illustrious, decade-long career just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most dependable leaders, his decision comes as a major surprise to fans and the national team setup.
Troost-Ekong’s commitment and consistency culminated in his finest performance at the 2023 AFCON, where he captained the Super Eagles to a runners-up finish and was personally crowned Player of the Tournament.
In his statement, the defender reflected on the honour of leading the team and expressed gratitude to the country and fans, leaving head coach Eric Chelle with a sudden, significant defensive challenge.
