Troost-Ekong, who has been a key figure for the national team since making his debut in 2015, made the announcement on Thursday via a video message posted on his official X handle.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from international football,” he said in the emotional video.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, the defender described representing Nigeria as a privilege and one of the greatest honours of his career. He expressed pride in being part of a generation that proved it was possible to “come home” and play for the national team despite being raised abroad.
“The time has come to pass on the responsibility, to pass on the opportunity, to pass on the captaincy,” he said as he bid farewell.
Ekong thanked his teammates, past and present coaches, and most especially Nigerian fans, whom he described as “the heartbeat of Nigerian football.”
“Your support carried me through every high and every challenge. I will stand with you as you stood with me,” he added.
His decision comes barely two days after his name appeared on Nigeria’s 54-man provisional list for the 2025 AFCON.
Troost-Ekong made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in a 2015 AFCON qualifier against Chad under the late Stephen Keshi. He later represented Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, helping the team—coached by Samson Siasia—secure a bronze medal.
His iconic defensive partnership with Leon Balogun, famously dubbed the “Oyinbo Wall,” became one of the most formidable pairings in African football.
Although he featured in Nigeria’s unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he played prominently at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Ekong also helped Nigeria win bronze at AFCON 2019, before captaining the team to a silver-medal finish at AFCON 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire, where he was voted Player of the Tournament.
Over the course of his decade-long international career, Troost-Ekong earned 83 caps and scored eight goals for the three-time African champions.
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