Nigeria Crisis of Leaders Again Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ahmed Musa Retires to End 15-Year International Career

JAKARTA - Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa announced his retirement on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, local time, ending a career that made him the player with the most international appearances for the country.

The former Leicester City striker made the announcement on his social media.

"After much consideration, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles," Musa wrote.

The 33-year-old was first called up to represent Nigeria in April 2010 by Lars Lagerback ahead of Nigeria's preparations for the World Cup and made his debut five months later in September at the age of 17.

"I remember being invited simultaneously to the U-20, U-23, and Super Eagles. I was young, still learning and always traveling, but I never complained. Whenever Nigeria called, I came. It's not something I have to think twice about," Musa said.

Musa has amassed 111 international appearances, making him the third Nigerian player - alongside Joseph Yobo (100) and Vincent Enyeama (101) - to surpass the 100-appearance threshold.

"Playing 111 games for my country is something I hold in high regard. To be the player with the most appearances in Nigeria's football history is a great honour."

"Every time I put on that uniform, I understand the responsibility that comes with it. I do my best to give everything, both when things go well or not, because playing for Nigeria is always bigger than myself," he said.

Musa helped Nigeria win the African Cup of Nations in 2013. He also appeared in two World Cups, 2014 and 2018, scoring four goals to become Nigeria's top scorer in the World Cup, and the first to score more than one goal in a tournament.

"Winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will always be an unforgettable memory. That team showed the true meaning of playing for Nigeria."

"Scoring goals at the World Cup, against Argentina and Iceland, are memories I will always carry. Scoring four goals at the World Cup and being Nigeria's top scorer at that stage is something I am very grateful for," he said.

"The memories I will always carry are the ones of the last time I played for Nigeria: Musa's last appearance for Nigeria was at the Unity Cup in London earlier this year, when the Super Eagles beat West African rivals Ghana in the semi-final.

"The memories I will always carry with me are the ones of the World Cup in Brazil and the European Championship in France. The memories of the World Cup in South Africa and the European Championship in France are memories I will always carry with me. When I leave international football, I will do so peacefully and with gratitude. I know I have given my best. "

"The memories I will always carry with me are the ones of winning the World Cup with the Super Eagles. I know that this bond will never be broken," Musa said.

"The memories I will always carry with me are the ones of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, and the one of scoring the winning goal in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

The official retirement announcement comes less than two weeks after Nigeria's vice-captain William Troost-Ekong announced his own retirement, bringing clarity to the complicated leadership situation in the team.

Initially he was appointed captain by Sunday Oliseh after the departure of Vincent Enyeama in 2015. Musa handed the position to John Mikel Obi, who served as vice-captain until the midfielder retired in 2019, with Troost-Ekong as his deputy.

Despite taking leadership responsibility for the team during Musa's prolonged absence, including captaining the Super Eagles in every game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as Musa remained an unused reserve, Troost-Ekong was never officially appointed captain.

Troost-Ekong's retirement in December 2025 leaves the team in uncertainty. Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, as vice-captain and one of the more senior members of the team, has taken over the role. He has also not been officially appointed as captain.

Without Musa's resignation, the team cannot appoint an official captain. This announcement paves the way for the appointment of a new captain for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.