- the former Kenya national football team captain shared the news in an emotional post on X on Friday
- He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their support
- Tottenham Hotspur paid tribute to the midfielder, praising his contributions during his time at the club
Victor Wanyama has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a distinguished 19-year career in which he made history as the first Kenyan to score in the UEFA Champions League.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the former Kenya national football team captain shared the news in an emotional post on X on Friday, reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings to representing his country on the global stage.
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He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their support, adding that he now plans to transition into coaching and will pursue his UEFA A Licence this year.
Wanyama etched his name into football history in 2012 while playing for Celtic FC, scoring in a memorable 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona in the Champions League.
His performances in Scotland earned him a move to the Premier League in 2013, joining Southampton FC in a then-record transfer for a Scottish club. He later signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2016, where he became a fan favourite, notably scoring a stunning goal against Liverpool FC in 2018.
After his time in England, Wanyama moved to CF Montréal in Major League Soccer, where he also served as captain and helped the team win the 2021 Canadian Championship under Thierry Henry.
He later returned to Scotland in 2025, joining Dunfermline Athletic and reuniting with his former manager Neil Lennon.
On the international stage, Wanyama made his debut for Kenya at just 15 years old in 2007 and went on to earn over 60 caps. He became captain of the Harambee Stars in 2013 and represented the country at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Following his retirement announcement, Tottenham Hotspur paid tribute to the midfielder, praising his contributions during his time at the club, while the Football Kenya Federation also commended his legacy, describing him as an inspiration to future generations of footballers in Kenya.
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