Nifemi Babasanmi
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has announced his retirement from football, bringing to an end an illustrious career that spanned nearly 15 years with Nigeria’s senior national team.
In a post on his X handle, Musa revealed that the decision followed deep reflection on his journey with the Super Eagles.
“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles,” he wrote.
Reflecting on his early days, Musa said wearing the green and white meant everything to him from his very first call-up.
“I was just a young boy when the journey started. I remember being invited at the same time to the U-20, U-23 and the Super Eagles. I was young, still learning, and always travelling, but I never complained. Whenever Nigeria called, I showed up. It was never something I had to think twice about,” he said.
Musa noted that although football took him to many places around the world, Nigeria always remained home.
The former Leicester City forward highlighted his record-breaking achievements with pride, describing his 111 appearances for Nigeria as a source of deep honour. He remains the most capped player in the history of Nigerian football.
“Every time I wore the jersey, I understood the responsibility that came with it. I did my best to give everything I had, whether things were going well or not, because playing for Nigeria was always bigger than me,” he stated.
Among his most cherished memories, Musa singled out Nigeria’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as his goals at the FIFA World Cup.
“Winning the 2013 AFCON will always stand out. That team showed what it meant to play for Nigeria,” he said. “Scoring at the World Cup, against Argentina and Iceland, are memories I will always carry with me. To score four goals at the World Cup and be Nigeria’s highest goalscorer on that stage is something I am truly grateful for.”
Musa also described captaining the Super Eagles as a defining chapter of his career, saying it taught him responsibility, patience, and the importance of putting the team first.
His retirement marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, with Musa leaving behind a legacy of dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the national colours.
