Cameroon Great Nicolas Nkoulou calls time on decorated career

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Former Cameroon international Nicolas Nkoulou has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing to an end a long and distinguished career that saw him excel at club and international level.

Nkoulou, 35, made the decision to hang up his boots after more than 550 professional appearances, spanning more than 15 years across top leagues in Europe and Turkey. His journey began at the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon before blossoming at AS Monaco, where he made his professional breakthrough. From there he moved on to some of Europe’s respected clubs, including Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais and Torino in Italy’s Serie A before later playing in Greece and Turkey.

The centre-back’s leadership and consistency made him a mainstay in defence, and he won notable honours along the way — most memorably anchoring Cameroon’s back line as the Lions Indomptables lifted the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored a crucial equaliser in the final against Egypt.

On the international stage, Nkoulou earned 83 caps for Cameroon, representing his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and three FIFA World Cups, displaying longevity and commitment at the highest level.

In his announcement, Nkoulou reflected on a career defined by adaptability, professionalism and passion for the game. He emphasised that the decision came when he no longer felt the daily drive to train and compete, signaling that it was the right moment to step away.

While now retiring as a player, Nkoulou has indicated he wants to stay connected to football off the pitch — hinting at plans to further his understanding of the game and contribute to the sport in other capacities in the future.

Nicolas Nkoulou’s career by the numbers:
• 550+ professional club appearances across France, Italy, Greece and Turkey
• 83 caps for Cameroon with 2 goals
• 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winner, scoring in final
• Played in three FIFA World Cups

Nkoulou leaves the field as one of Cameroon’s most respected defenders of his generation, a player whose presence and calm at the back will be remembered by fans across continents.