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By Seyi Babalola
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football after a decade with the Super Eagles in an emotional statement released on Thursday.
Writing on Instagram, he expressed gratitude for the chance to represent Nigeria, characterising it as the greatest pleasure of his career and reaffirming that, while his time on the pitch has come to an end, his support for the team will continue as he looks forward to the next chapter.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Ekong said.
“The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
His confirmation came minutes after football transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano disclosed the development.
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“William Troost-Ekong has decided to retire from international football and won’t play for Nigeria again. After 83 caps, 3 medals and playing in 5 major tournaments, Troost-Ekong says goodbye to the Super Eagles,” Romano wrote on X.
Troost-Ekong, who plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father.
After representing the Netherlands at the youth level, he committed his senior international future to Nigeria and made his debut on June 13, 2015, in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.
His tally of five goals at the AFCON remains the highest scored by a defender in the history of the competition and will now stand as an unbroken record following his decision to step away from the team.
The defender scored eight goals in 83 appearances, with his final outing coming as a late substitute against Gabon on November 13.
His retirement means the Super Eagles will now move forward without one of their most experienced figures as Chelle finalises his selection for the competition.
