New York Red Bulls midfielder Ronald Donkor has described his maiden Black Stars call-up as the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.
The young midfielder expressed his excitement at finally getting the opportunity to represent Ghana at senior level.
The 21-year-old was handed his first senior national team invitation by head coach Carlos Queiroz after an impressive 2026 campaign with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.
Donkor is one of the debutants in Queiroz’s squad for Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, alongside right-back Jan Gyamerah of German side SV Elversberg though the latter has withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
The midfielder has been rewarded for his growing influence at club level, having established himself as an important member of the Red Bulls squad since making his MLS debut in 2023.
Donkor has mdae 24 appearances and played 2,084 minutes played so far and havetwo goals and four assists, giving him six goal involvements for the year.
His latest goal came about two weeks ago when he scored an 89th-minute winner in New York Red Bulls’ 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew. The performance earned him a place in the MLS Team of the Matchday for the second time this season.
That form helped bring Donkor into Queiroz’s plans as the Portuguese coach begins reshaping the Black Stars following Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
For Donkor, however, the significance of the call-up extends beyond his recent club performances.
He said the prospect of playing for Ghana has been a dream throughout his career. “It’s really good to be here. It’s been my dream to play for the national team,” Donkor said.
The combative midfielder revealed that he initially struggled to believe the news when he was informed that he had been selected, choosing to wait until the official squad announcement before allowing himself to celebrate.
“When I finished talking to Alex, I didn’t really believe what was going to happen next. So I was like, okay, let me wait and see what’s going to happen next. I wanted them to release the list so that I could confirm that I was part of the team.”
Ronald Donkor, NY Red Bulls and Black Stars midfielder
The Accra-born midfielder also spoke about the emotional significance of wearing the Ghana shirt and the reaction of his family to the call-up. “Every single Ghanaian player wants to play for the national team, and wearing this jersey is really good for me,” he said. “I’m really happy. I’m grateful.“
Donkor also hopes his first national team experience will allow him to reunite with players he knows from his football development in Mali.
He specifically mentioned Alidu Seidu and Augustin Boakye, who were senior players to him at the JMG Football Academy. “I wanted to meet Alidu Seidu because I played with him in the same academy. He was my senior,” Donkor said. “Augustin Boakye was my senior too at JMG Academy, so I’m just waiting for Augustin.”
Having made his professional breakthrough with Malian club Guidars FC before joining New York Red Bulls in May 2023, Donkor has steadily developed into a first-team player in the United States.
Red Bulls recently rewarded his progress with a new contract running through the 2029-30 season, with an option for 2030-31.
His immediate focus is now on making his senior international debut and helping Ghana begin the AFCON qualifying campaign positively.
Donkor was cautious when asked what Ghanaian supporters should expect from him, preferring to let his performances provide the answer. “I don’t really want to say anything,” he said. “When we start playing games, I know Ghanaians will see everything.”
The midfielder, who said he was previously nicknamed “Agogo,” is instead setting his sights on collective success with the Black Stars. “I just want to win every single game with them, win trophies, give everything out there for my family and for the country to be proud,” he said.
Ghana will open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29.
The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions in Tangier on October 4.
For Donkor, those matches could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one that began with a dream of wearing the Black Stars jersey and has now brought him within touching distance of his first appearance for Ghana.
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