Nigeria’s national team captain, William Troost-Ekong, has brought his international career to an unexpected end—just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on December 21.
The defender confirmed his retirement on Thursday evening through a brief video message posted on his X account, where he stated:
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from international football.”
Troost-Ekong, who made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015, has been one of the team’s most consistent figures for a decade, featuring at multiple AFCON tournaments and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, the 31-year-old described the opportunity to wear the Nigeria jersey as a profound honour, saying representing the three-time African champions had been one of the highlights of his career.
His announcement comes shortly after he was listed in the provisional squad for AFCON 2025, sparking surprise among fans and analysts who viewed him as a vital part of Nigeria’s defensive setup heading into the tournament.