Ronald Donkor's mother found out her son had been called up to the Ghana senior national team — and immediately put on his jersey and started dancing. The video is doing the rounds online, and honestly, it's the most human football story you'll see this week.
The 21-year-old New York Red Bulls midfielder was named in Carlos Queiroz's 24-man squad for Ghana's upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers and a friendly against Morocco. He's one of two first-time call-ups in the group, alongside Jan Gyamerah.
The form that got him there
This wasn't a sympathy pick or a project call-up. Donkor has been one of the more consistent midfielders in MLS this season — two goals, four assists, 23 appearances, every single one from the start. Six direct goal involvements is a real number for a central midfielder in a league that's getting increasingly competitive.
He came up through JMG Football Academy in Mali, moved through Guidars FC, and joined the Red Bulls in 2023. Three years later, he's got a senior international call-up. The pathway worked.
Ghana's campaign opens with a tough one — Côte d'Ivoire away in Bouaké on September 24, then a home game against The Gambia, and a Morocco friendly on October 4, 2026. Queiroz needs bodies who can handle intensity in the middle of the park. A 21-year-old putting in full 90s week after week in MLS at least answers the fitness question.
What it means for Ghana's midfield picture
The Black Stars have had a rotation problem in central midfield for a while — too many options without enough clarity on who the first-choice pairing is. Donkor adds a younger, high-energy option to that mix. Whether Queiroz actually plays him against Ivory Coast is another matter entirely, but getting into the squad at 21 is the first step.
His mother already knows that. She's been celebrating since the announcement dropped.
