Ronald Donkor has earned his first senior Black Stars call-up after catching the attention of Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz with a series of impressive performances for Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.
The 21-year-old midfielder is one of two players handed their maiden senior invitations by Queiroz for Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, as well as the international friendly against Morocco.
Donkor’s selection represents an important milestone in a career that has seen him make a steady transition from academy football in Mali to becoming an established member of the New York Red Bulls first team.
Born in Accra on November 20, 2004, Donkor began his football development at the JMG Football Academy in Mali before continuing his career with Guidars FC. His performances in Mali eventually earned him a move to the United States, where he joined New York Red Bulls in May 2023.
His journey in Major League Soccer has been gradual but progressive.
After joining the Red Bulls, Donkor initially featured for the club’s development side before earning opportunities with the senior team. He made his MLS debut against Philadelphia Union in May 2023 and registered his first professional assist against Atlanta United later that season.
The midfielder continued to develop during the 2024 campaign, making his first MLS start against CF Montréal. He went on to establish himself more firmly in the first-team setup, gaining valuable experience in one of North America’s rapidly developing football leagues.
His progress became even more noticeable during the 2025 season. Donkor made 20 MLS appearances, including eight starts, and provided three assists. He also produced an outstanding performance for New York Red Bulls’ second team, where he recorded three assists in a single match.
That development has continued into the 2026 season, with Donkor taking on a much more significant role for the Red Bulls.
The Ghanaian midfielder has made 14 MLS appearances and started all 14 of those matches according to his club profile. He has also recorded four assists and scored his first MLS goal, reaching new personal highs in minutes played, starts and assists.
His performances have earned him a long-term commitment from New York Red Bulls, who extended his contract in June 2026. The new agreement runs through the 2029-30 season, with an option for the following campaign. Club officials described Donkor as an important member of the team and highlighted his continued development.
It is this progression that has now brought Donkor into the senior Black Stars setup.
His latest campaign has been particularly productive, with reports indicating that he has contributed two goals and four assists in 23 appearances across the current season. He has also maintained an 85 percent passing accuracy and created 35 chances, underlining his influence in the middle of the pitch.
Donkor’s game is built around his energy, work rate and ability to help his team move the ball forward. His performances for New York Red Bulls have increasingly seen him trusted with responsibility in midfield, and his consistency has now earned recognition at international level.
The call-up is also significant because Donkor becomes one of the first players from the current MLS generation to receive an opportunity under Queiroz’s new Black Stars setup.
For the young midfielder, the invitation provides an opportunity to step onto a much bigger stage. While he has already gained experience in MLS and played at a competitive level in the United States, international football presents a different challenge, particularly with Ghana beginning another AFCON qualification campaign.
Queiroz has made it clear that current form, fitness and competitive activity were important considerations in selecting the squad. The coach said his technical team carried out detailed monitoring of eligible players before making their decisions, with an emphasis on players who are actively competing and physically prepared to represent the national team.
Donkor fits that profile after becoming a regular starter for New York Red Bulls.
His inclusion also adds another young option to Ghana’s midfield as the national team begins a new cycle following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before returning home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
Ghana will then travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4. Donkor is expected to join the national team camp in the coming days as he prepares for his first experience with the senior Black Stars.
Whether he makes his senior debut immediately or has to wait for another opportunity, the call-up itself marks a major step in the midfielder’s development.
Only a few years after leaving the JMG Football Academy and Guidars FC in Mali for New York, Donkor has progressed from the Red Bulls’ development setup to becoming a regular MLS starter and now a senior Ghana international prospect.
His first Black Stars call-up therefore represents more than just recognition for his recent form. It is the latest stage of a steady rise that has taken the Accra-born midfielder from academy football in Mali to the MLS and, now, into Ghana’s senior national team.
With Ghana preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers and Queiroz looking to build a squad for the future, Donkor will have the opportunity to demonstrate that his impressive club development can translate to the international stage.
