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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially retired from international football, drawing the curtain on a decorated, decade-long spell with Nigeria, footynaija.com reports.
The announcement means the 32-year-old will play no part in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21.
HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE
— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) December 4, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/qt7MoMZHiW
His decision ends an era defined by leadership, resilience and a string of defining moments on the continent’s biggest stage.
Troost-Ekong, born to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, chose the Super Eagles despite being eligible for both England and the Netherlands, having represented the Dutch at U19 and U20 levels.
He made his senior Nigeria debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi and quickly cemented his place in the heart of the defence.
William Troost-Ekong: A decade of service marked by iconic AFCON moments
Troost-Ekong’s international career spanned multiple tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns. At the 2019 AFCON, he scored the late winner that knocked out South Africa and sent Nigeria into the semi-finals.
He captained the Super Eagles at the 2021 AFCON and was named in the tournament’s Best XI for the group stage. In the 2022 World Cup play-off, he scored from the spot against Ghana, although Nigeria ultimately failed to qualify for Qatar.
His finest hour arguably came at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where he produced one of the most influential individual campaigns by a defender in the competition’s history.
Troost-Ekong scored penalties against the hosts and South Africa, added another in the final, and guided Nigeria to a runners-up finish. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, and his total of five AFCON goals remains the all-time record for a defender.
With Troost-Ekong stepping away, Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will captain the Super Eagles at AFCON 2025.
