Valencia striker Sadiq Umar has revealed he is seriously considering retiring from international football, admitting he is weighing up his future with Nigeria’s national team.
The 29-year-old forward disclosed that no final decision has been made but indicated that he will reassess his situation at the start of the new club season before determining whether to continue representing the Super Eagles.
Speaking to Radio France Internationale Hausa, Umar said the decision would depend on what he believes is best for prolonging his career and maintaining peak performance levels.
“I am contemplating retirement from the Nigerian national team, but I will make a final decision when the new season begins,” he said.
The former Almeria striker addressed the disappointment surrounding Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a setback that has generated intense debate among supporters and football stakeholders.
While acknowledging the frustration, Umar avoided assigning blame.
“I cannot specifically identify the reason for our failure, but that is now in the past,” he said. “We must focus on the next World Cup, which is four years away.”
Questions have also been raised about his absence from recent Super Eagles squads. Umar dismissed suggestions of any dispute with the coaching staff, attributing the situation to competition for places.
“Perhaps my profile does not fit what they need at the moment,” he explained. “There are other players performing well because Nigeria is blessed with enormous talent.”
The striker stressed that age is not the primary factor behind his deliberations, pointing instead to the need for careful planning as he enters a crucial stage of his career.
“I still have time to make a decision,” he added. “I want to think carefully about what will help me focus on my career and stay in football for a long time, like Cristiano Ronaldo.”
His comments are likely to fuel further debate about the future direction of the Super Eagles following another major tournament disappointment.
