The Nigerian football community is still reeling from the unexpected retirement of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, a defender whose leadership, consistency, and patriotism have defined a generation of the national team.
As tributes continue to pour in, several Super Eagles stars have publicly expressed their admiration, gratitude, and emotions following the exit of one of Nigeria’s most respected football figures. From heartfelt messages to powerful acknowledgments of his legacy, here is what his teammates are saying:
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Victor Osimhen: “Legend Forever.”
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered one of the most emotional farewells to the captain, praising Troost-Ekong’s influence both on and off the pitch.
“It’s been an honour sharing the pitch with you, skippo. Your guidance, humility, and professionalism pushed all of us to be better.
Thank you for everything you’ve given to the team and Nigeria. Wishing you greatness ahead. You’ve earned it. Legend forever.”
Ever honest and reflective, Alex Iwobi spoke about Troost-Ekong not only as a teammate but as a brother who shaped the team’s culture.
“Obviously it is a sad one for us because he is a big part of our team. But at the end of the day I wish him well, he is a brother; he has helped Nigeria and me.
Of course towards the end of his Nigerian career he wasn’t playing as much as probably he would like, but he was still a big part of our team—his voice, his leadership, and the way he made sure the togetherness in the team was very high and very strong.
So he will be very missed… he was a big leader for us and I am sure we have other leaders that can follow in his footsteps, but we all wish him well.”
Iwobi’s tribute highlights the behind-the-scenes leadership Troost-Ekong brought—something fans rarely see but teammates deeply value.
Defender Calvin Bassey, who played alongside Troost-Ekong at AFCON 2023, kept his message short but powerful:
“We love you Skippo!”
A simple expression of appreciation to a captain who mentored younger players and anchored Nigeria’s defense for years.
Few players have shared as much defensive chemistry with Troost-Ekong as Leon Balogun—together, they formed one of Africa’s most iconic centre-back pairings.
His tribute was deeply personal:
“Congrats on your legacy my brother, super proud of the inspiration, the man and the player you have become! It’s been EPIC.”
Balogun’s message reflects years of partnership, friendship, and shared battles in the green and white.
From guiding Nigeria through multiple AFCON campaigns to lifting the 2023 AFCON Best Player award and serving as a unifying force in the dressing room, William Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy stamped with leadership and resilience.
If the heartfelt tributes from Osimhen, Iwobi, Bassey, and Balogun prove anything, it’s that Troost-Ekong’s impact extended far beyond the pitch—his voice, presence, and professionalism shaped a generation of Super Eagles stars.
