Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has admitted that he still misses life with the Nigerian national team months after bringing the curtain down on his international career, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Troost-Ekong retired from international football in December 2025 after serving Nigeria for a decade, ending a career that saw him captain the team, win AFCON and Olympic medals and become one of the country’s most influential defenders of his generation.
The 32-year-old opened up about life after retirement during a roundtable discussion on the Bassey Talks podcast alongside current Super Eagles stars Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey.
While the former Watford defender insists he has no regrets over his decision to retire, he admitted that watching the team from afar has not been easy.
“More than anything, I miss being with the guys. I miss being with… this is family to me, you know,” Troost-Ekong said.
“I envision again like walking out for the first time, walking out on the pitch, those games, those moments. But I have no regrets and it was my decision to stop. Of course, I thought about it so much, so much went on in my head, but I don’t think I necessarily miss that part.
“I might do again later but I’m content. But I miss the team environment and when I see the team on TV now, I have my hands itching like I want to be there with them again, to share those moments. But besides that, I’m good, guys.”
Troost-Ekong’s retirement came shortly after Nigeria’s failed bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and just months before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Born in the Netherlands, he made his Super Eagles debut under the late Stephen Keshi in June 2015 and went on to become a mainstay in the heart of Nigeria’s defence. Alongside Leon Balogun, he formed the popular “Oyibo Wall” partnership that anchored the team for several years.
His finest moment in national colours came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained the Super Eagles to the final and scored three goals during the tournament. Despite Nigeria losing to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final, Troost-Ekong was named the tournament’s Best Player and became the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history with five goals.
He eventually bowed out with 83 caps, eight goals, an Olympic bronze medal from Rio 2016 and AFCON silver and bronze medals, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished defenders.
