Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has converted to Islam after reciting the Shahada in Doha, Qatar, where he currently plays for Al-Ahli.
The development was first reported by Qatari newspaper Al-Arab on Wednesday, with footage subsequently circulating online showing the Nigerian defender reciting the two testimonies of faith and declaring his acceptance of Islam.
The 33-year-old footballer has attracted significant attention from football followers in Nigeria and Qatar following the development, which marks a major personal milestone away from the football pitch.
According to Al Jazeera’s report, Troost-Ekong also expressed a desire to read more and learn about Islam. However, available reports have not established when he began exploring the religion or what specifically influenced his decision.
Troost-Ekong currently features for Qatar Stars League side Al-Ahli, having joined the club in January 2026 after his spell with Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood.
Before retiring from international football in December 2025, Troost-Ekong established himself as one of Nigeria’s leading defenders of his generation.
He earned 83 senior caps for the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2025 and captained Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
The defender also represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments during a decade-long international career.
His club career has taken him through professional football in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The conversion announcement has since generated widespread reactions among football fans and followers, with the video of Troost-Ekong reciting the Shahada continuing to circulate across social media.
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