‘The dream was real,’ Nicolas Nkoulou bids farewell to football

The Cameroonian spoke a few days after ending his professional career.

It is the end of an era for Cameroonian and African football. Nicolas Nkoulou, who has 83 caps and two goals to his name, as well as a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title with the Indomitable Lions, has officially bid farewell to football. In a message filled with gratitude and pride, the 35-year-old centre-back said he was leaving with his head held high after a rich and inspiring career.

"Every journey has a beginning... and every great journey deserves a meaningful end. From the streets where the dream was born to the biggest stadiums in the world, I truly lived the game I imagined as a child. I didn't just play football, I respected it, I fought for it and I gave it everything I had.

Today, I leave the game with my head held high. Knowing that I have remained true to myself... with discipline, resilience and a character always driven by the desire to win.

My gratitude is immense. Above all, I thank God for guiding me and giving me strength through every challenge. I am grateful to my family for their unconditional love and sacrifices. And I thank all the coaches, teammates, club members and supporters who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey.

Today, I say goodbye with serenity, pride and deep respect for the game that made me who I am.

Thank you, football. The dream was real," wrote Nicolas Nkoulou on his social media accounts.