Victor Boniface, the Nigerian international and Bayer Leverkusen striker, stirred conversation on social media Friday after he jokingly announced his retirement from international football—only to retract the statement minutes later.
The 24-year-old forward posted on Instagram shortly after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Russia in an international friendly played in Moscow. Boniface started the match and was substituted in the 61st minute for Tolu Arokodare, who later scored the equaliser for the Super Eagles.
In his now-deleted post, Boniface wrote, “Proud to play for my country and a dream for me also. Really enjoyed every moment, the good and the bad. Thanks a lot. Thank you all. I don hang boot.”
Though the post seemed to signal an emotional goodbye, fans familiar with Boniface’s playful social media persona were quick to suspect it was a joke. This was later confirmed when the striker posted a meme on his Instagram story hinting that he was only teasing.
Boniface, who made his international debut on September 10, 2023, against São Tomé and Príncipe, is yet to score for the national team—a statistic that has drawn criticism from some Nigerian football fans.
Despite his impressive club form in Germany, his performances in the green and white jersey have not met expectations, with critics growing increasingly vocal.
However, Boniface is known not just for his footballing talent but also for his humorous approach to public life. His online antics often include memes and comic posts, endearing him to many followers.
