By Michael Odegbe
The Nigerian football community was flooded with touching tributes as Super Eagles legend Ahmed Musa officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing to a close a remarkable 15-year chapter in national colours.
The former national team captain delivered a heartfelt farewell on Wednesday, reflecting on his journey from teenage prodigy to Nigeria’s most capped player of all time.
Musa, now 31, made an impressive 111 appearances for the Super Eagles, a record unprecedented in Nigeria’s history, and scored four goals at the FIFA World Cup, becoming Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer on the international stage.
The winger described the honor of wearing the green and white jersey as a lifetime privilege he never took for granted.
“Every time Nigeria called, I rose to the occasion,” Musa wrote. “I never had to think twice about it.”
A Career Full of Unforgettable Moments
Musa’s international career was filled with unforgettable moments:
- The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title, a triumph that, in his own words, “defined what it means to play for Nigeria.”
- His heroics at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, including historic goals against Argentina and Iceland.
- His leadership as captain of the Super Eagles guided a younger generation of players through years of pressure.
Despite criticism at various stages of his career, Musa maintained his loyalty and passion, emphasizing that his commitment to the national team was unwavering.
“Football gave me a career, but Nigeria gave me meaning.”
During a moving farewell, Musa thanked his teammates, coaches, officials, and the millions of fans around the world who supported him along the way.
He assured Nigerians that although he is retiring from international football, his bond with the Super Eagles remains unbroken:
“I do so with peace and gratitude. I know I gave my all. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”
The end of an era, the beginning of a legacy
Ahmed Musa’s retirement marks the end of one of the greatest international careers in Nigerian football history – a journey marked by passion, leadership, and unquestionable patriotism.
Fans, teammates, and football legends have taken to social media to pay tribute to one of Nigeria’s all-time greatest players, whose service will be remembered for generations.
The question arises: Who will replace the man whose commitment to the national team set the standard for all who followed?
A chapter closes. And a legend remains. Forever an Eagle.
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