Why Troost-Ekong Retired From The National Team

Abuja, Nigeria — Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has firmly dismissed speculation surrounding his retirement from international football, insisting the decision was entirely his own and made on his terms.

The 32-year-old defender announced his retirement on Thursday, just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, sending shockwaves through Nigerian football.

His decision came despite being named in coach Eric Chelle’s 54-man provisional squad for the tournament.

Setting the Record Straight

Following his announcement, rumours circulated on social media suggesting Troost-Ekong was forced out due to tensions with the Nigeria Football Federation or punishment for leading bonus disputes during World Cup qualifying playoffs.

The defender took to social media platform X to address these claims directly.

“This just isn’t true, my friend. I retired on my own terms and for my own reasons,” Troost-Ekong wrote.

He emphasized that no one pressured him to leave, stating that when he shared his decision, the response from officials and teammates was quite the opposite—they tried to convince him to stay.

“It just felt like the right time for me,” the defender told Sky Sports.

He described the moment as bittersweet, explaining that after more than a decade with the Super Eagles, it felt like a chapter was closing.

A Storied Career

Troost-Ekong retires as Nigeria’s ninth-most capped player with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015.

His career with the national team was marked by remarkable achievements, including a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a third-place finish at the 2019 AFCON.

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His crowning achievement came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained Nigeria to the final.

He won the Player of the Tournament award and set the record for most goals scored by a defender in AFCON history with five goals, including one in the final against hosts Ivory Coast, though Nigeria ultimately fell 2-1.

The Right Time to Step Away

Multiple factors appear to have influenced Troost-Ekong’s decision.

Fellow midfielder Alex Iwobi suggested the defender wasn’t playing as much as he would have liked toward the end of his Nigeria career, with young Brentford defender Benjamin Fredricks emerging as a regular starter under coach Chelle.

The defender had also been vocal about the need for improvements within Nigerian football administration.

He previously stated that organizational matters needed to be better and that he hoped to help improve Nigerian football’s structures moving forward, potentially in a different capacity.

Support for the Future

Despite stepping away, Troost-Ekong made clear his continued support for the Super Eagles.

He pledged full support to Coach Chelle and the team for the upcoming AFCON, calling on all Nigerians to rally behind the squad as they compete in Morocco.

The Nigeria Football Federation honored the defender in a statement, describing him as a committed and humble leader who served the nation with outstanding patriotism.

NFF officials praised his passion, calmness, and responsibility, calling him a model professional for younger players to emulate.

Troost-Ekong indicated his work within Nigerian communities would continue through his foundation, and he has expressed interest in eventual administrative roles in football, drawing on mentorship from former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo.

For now, the decorated defender leaves international football on his own terms, with his legacy as one of Nigeria’s finest defensive leaders firmly intact.

Nigeria will face Tanzania on December 23 in their opening AFCON Group C match in Fez, Morocco, as they begin a new chapter without their long-serving captain.