SHOCK RETIREMENT: SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG STEPS DOWN BEFORE AFCON
Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football after 83 caps, passing on leadership responsibility ahead of the Morocco AFCON.
Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong, has announced he's retiring from international soccer just ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Troost-Ekong first played for the Super Eagles in 2015 and has since played 83 games for them.
The former Watford defender was the captain when Nigeria reached the AFCON final two years ago. He also played for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Troost-Ekong helped Nigeria win a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and said his time with the national team was unforgettable.
The 32-year-old was recently part of the Nigeria team that lost to DR Congo on penalties in a playoff for next year's World Cup.
Troost-Ekong's announcement comes just weeks before the start of AFCON in Morocco on December 21. Nigeria plays its first game against Tanzania on December 23.
In a statement, Troost-Ekong said, I'm retiring from international soccer today.
In 2015, a call from Stephen Keshi changed my life. He gave me my first game a month later. His belief in me made me want to be like him.
Every time I wore the Super Eagles shirt, I thought back to that moment.
Being the captain of the Super Eagles was more than I could have ever dreamed. Nigeria accepted me and trusted me to lead and represent a nation.
Being a boy raised in the Netherlands and becoming 'Oyibo Wall' and then 'Skippo' is something I'll always treasure.
I've played 83 games, been in 5 big tournaments, won 3 medals, and broken some records. I've really lived my dream.
A bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, playing at the 2018 World Cup, and 3 great AFCON tournaments, with a bronze and a silver medal, will always be unforgettable.
Leading Nigeria through the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final, and being named Player of the Tournament was very special.
I still wish it had ended differently. Being the defender with the most goals in AFCON history is something I share with every teammate who was there.
That tournament taught me what it means to be Nigerian—that when things get tough, we unite, work hard, push through the pain, and rise above it.
I'm happy knowing I gave everything I had. Not just for myself, but to inspire the next generation, like I was inspired by the legends I looked up to and had the honour of playing with.
It's been great playing with my Nigerian teammates, building something special together. Watching them become leaders, it's time to pass on the responsibility and the captaincy.
As someone who wore this shirt, I knew it was only temporary. Now it's time for the next generation to write their own story.
Being born abroad, I'm proud to be part of a group that showed it's possible to come home to play for our country.
None of this would have been possible without the people around me. To every coach, staff member, and especially my teammates, past and present, who were part of my international career—thank you.
To the Nigerian fans, the heart of Nigerian soccer, your support has helped me through everything. I'll stand with you as you stood with me.
This isn't goodbye. My work in Nigerian communities continues through The Troost-Ekong Foundation, and I'll keep working to build better futures for Nigerians. My support, love, and passion for the team will never go away.
The last ten years have been full of commitment, pride, and memories. Wearing the Super Eagles shirt was more than just playing soccer. It was a duty, a privilege, and an honour.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
BRAD FRIEDEL LABELS WESTON MCKENNIE THE "MOST TALENTED" USMNT PLAYER OVER PULISIC
Brad Friedel sparks debate by naming Weston McKennie as more talented than Christian Pulisic for the USMNT in 2026.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel doesn’t think Christian Pulisic is the top American player right now. In his eyes, Weston McKennie is the most talented option Mauricio Pochettino's got, even though Pulisic usually gets all the attention as “Captain America.”
Pulisic does have his fans, but he hasn’t scored for the national team since 2024 and was pretty quiet during the last international break. The US had a rough time, losing 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal. Those friendlies were supposed to get the team ready for big opponents at the 2026 World Cup, but honestly, they just brought up even more doubts. McKennie was one of the few players who actually looked up for it, and Friedel is absolutely convinced he’s the best talent the US has right now.
The team was missing some key names, too. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams were all out. Richards made it back for the Portugal game, but Adams’ absence in midfield was impossible to ignore. Friedel says people are making too much of these recent defeats. He thinks you have to judge the team on how they do in big tournaments, especially this summer. Still, he admits Adams is the one who keeps everyone connected, and when he’s out there, it makes McKennie better, which ends up making life easier for Pulisic.
Pochettino has a headache picking his squad for the World Cup. He’s still not set on his goalkeeper, his defence, his midfield, or even the attack. According to Friedel, no matter who fills those spots, the USMNT’s hopes really come down to what McKennie and Adams bring to the table.
Talking to Express Sport via Oddspedia, Friedel said, “The U.S. has always needed all our best guys. We’ve never been the kind of team that can go 30 deep and not lose quality except in 2002. That was the only year when anyone could’ve started, and we wouldn’t have missed a beat. Tyler is the glue for the team. He doesn’t care if you’re seven feet tall; if you’re not pulling your weight, he’ll call you out. He’s just that type of player.”
Friedel went on, “I coached a lot of these guys when I ran the under-19s. Weston McKennie is, for me, the most talented footballer we have. He can do so many things, but he needs to be fit and focused. With Juventus this season, he’s looked sharp, and he’s carrying that form into the World Cup. If he’s got Tyler alongside him, no matter where Weston ends up playing, Tyler keeps him disciplined. You always get the best version of McKennie when Adams is on the field. If those two are fit and playing well, they open up the space that lets Christian do what he does best.”
Pochettino is staring down a huge challenge to get this team ready for the World Cup. He knows they’re nowhere near their peak, but he keeps insisting they’re not far off either. If Adams can stay healthy, something that’s been tough for him lately, that would take a lot of pressure off the coach. Without him, it shows. With him, everything just seems to fall into place.
