Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer with 111 appearances, has announced his retirement from the Super Eagles, bringing to an end a distinguished 15-year career with the national team.
Musa was a key member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and remains Nigeria’s highest goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup, with four goals, including iconic braces against Argentina in 2014 and Iceland in 2018.
The 33-year-old forward, who played club football in Nigeria, the Netherlands, Russia, England and Turkey, and earned the nickname “The Governor” for his leadership and charisma, said he gave his all while wearing the national colours.
“I wore this badge with pride for 15 years,” Musa wrote on his social media page. “From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances.
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“AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer. Captain. Servant. Believer. I gave everything. Thank you Nigeria… my heart will always beat green.”
Musa made his senior international debut at 17 in a 2012 AFCON qualifier against Madagascar on September 5, 2010. He played his final match for the Super Eagles in the West African ‘Jollof derby’ against Ghana, which Nigeria won 2–1 at the Unity Cup in London on May 28, 2025.
He exits the national team as Nigeria’s most capped player, having surpassed Joseph Yobo’s long-standing record of 101 appearances in 2021.
Beyond his senior exploits, Musa won gold with the Flying Eagles at the 2011 African Youth Championship. At senior level, he lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013, won bronze at the 2019 edition in Egypt and finished as a silver medallist at the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the former captain. His former deputy, William Troost-Ekong, who also recently retired from international football, described him in a single word: “Legend.”
Wilfred Ndidi echoed the sentiment, writing: “Skippo. Governor. Legend,” while former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo posted simply: “Skippo.”
The National Sports Commission (NSC) also hailed Musa’s contribution, acknowledging his immense service to Nigerian football and wishing him success in the next phase of his career.
