Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has tied the knot in a picturesque ceremony in southern Italy after withdrawing from Nigeria’s squad for their recent friendly against Russia, Footynaija.com reports.
The 30-year-old forward, who was one of the Super Eagles’ standout performers at the Unity Cup in May — scoring once and registering his first international assist — had been widely expected to travel to Moscow following several injury-related withdrawals in Nigeria’s attacking department.
Instead, Dessers requested to be left out of the 20-man squad, with Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle handing a maiden call-up to Krasnodar’s Olakunle Olusegun.
It has now emerged that Dessers’ decision was linked to his wedding.
According to GroundNews, the prolific striker married long-time partner Rosalie De Ruysscher in a stunning ceremony held in Montalbano, southern Italy.
Despite committing to Nigeria over his birth nation Belgium, the Tongeren-born striker remains eligible for the Red Devils as all eight of his Super Eagles caps have come in non-competitive fixtures. He has scored three times in those appearances, including a brace against Ghana.
Dessers enjoyed a prolific 2024 season at Rangers, netting 29 goals in 55 matches and finishing as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer.