Today, we celebrate the sportsmanship, passion, and unwavering commitment of William Troost-Ekong, a footballing prodigy who continues to shine brightly while proudly identifying as Nigerian.
William Troost-Ekong is a proud Nigerian-Dutch footballer currently playing for the Nigerian national team. Born to a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother, his journey into football took a unique path. Despite being born in the Netherlands, Troost-Ekong’s passion for football blossomed after he moved to England for his studies. It was there that he decided to join a football academy and pursue his dream.
Troost-Ekong stands out not only for his footballing talent but also for his deep connection to his Nigerian heritage. Despite being eligible to play for both Nigeria and the Netherlands, he holds his black Nigerian nation close to his heart. This strong sense of identity led him to choose to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
Although he had previously represented the Netherlands at the under-19 and under-20 levels, Troost-Ekong made the heartfelt decision to don the green and white of Nigeria. He earned his first cap for the senior national team, the Super Eagles, on June 13, 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.
