I gave everything , says  Governor’ Musa  after Int’l retirement

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer with 111 appearances, has  announced his retirement from the Super Eagles , ending a 15-year success-laden  career with the national team.

Musa was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and became Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer with four goals, including memorable braces against Argentina in 2014 and Iceland in 2018.

Musa who played  across clubs in Nigeria, Holland, Russia, England and Turkey; and fondly called the ‘Governor’ for his charismatic leadership, said he  did his best wearing the national team’s colour.

“I wore this badge with pride for 15 years,” stated the 33- year-old  on his social media account.“ From a 17-year-old boy answering every call  to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances.

“ AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer. Captain. Servant. Believer.

“I gave everything.

 Thank you Nigeria… my heart will always beat green, ” he added.

Musa made his  international debut  at 17 for the Super Eagles in a qualification match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar on 5th  September 2010  and  played his last match in the famous West Africa’s ‘ Jollof derby’ when  Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at the London Unity Cup on May 28th 2025.  

Musa bows out as Nigeria’s most capped player, having overtaken Joseph Yobo’s long-standing  101  record in 2021.  

Apart from  being a gold medal winner with the Flying Eagles at the 2011 African Youth Championship (U-20 AFCON),  he was  also  a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2013 as well as being a bronze medallist  at the 2019 edition in Egypt as well as being  silver medallist at the 2023 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire

Expectedly, tributes  have started  pouring in  for the affable ‘Governor’ from  his former Super Eagles teammates with  his erstwhile deputy, William Troost-Ekong , who also  bade the  national  team bye,  offering a crisp  single-word tribute: “Legend.”

  A sentiment equally echoed by  Wilfred Ndidi,  Besiktas midfielder,  who  wrote  matter-of –factly:  “Skippo. Governor. Legend.”

While  the  2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo also paid his respects, simply posting: “Skippo.”

The leadership of the National Sports Commission(NSC), was also effusive with praises by “ acknowledging  Ahmed Musa’s immense contribution to Nigerian football and wishes him continued success in the next chapter of his journey. Nigeria stands with you, always.”

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