Andre Onana has retired from international football after being sent home during the World Cup, but he will continue to play in the Italian League for Internazionale Milan.
Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, only made one appearance for his nation during the World Cup before being expelled due to a dispute with his manager.
Onana returned home after only making an appearance in the Indomitable Lions’ first match against Switzerland. In the competition’s group stage, he did not play against Serbia and Brazil.
After a disagreement between Rigobert Song, the manager, and Onana over his playing style, he was completely left out of the matchday squad to play Serbia.
Following the dispute, Onana declared his love for his country and slammed the “other side” for being unwilling to resolve the problems.
“I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side. Some moments are difficult to assimilate. However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursuing the success of our team and country,” Andre Onana wrote on his Facebook timeline at that time.
Andre Onana has decided to retire from all international service as of right now, announcing his Cameroonian retirement in a lengthy post on social media.
Onana wrote: “It all started in Ngol Nkok, a small village where, from a very young age, my family passed on to me the values that identify the Cameroonian people. I understood that love for this country is eternal and that commitment is non-negotiable. I remember how we watched the matches as a family. Only Cameroonians can understand what it means to us to see the Indomitable Lions play. That’s when I started dreaming of one day wearing the national team jersey.“
According to Onana’s statement, his dream for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon has come true: “And now, after endless hours of training, endless trips, and a lot of perseverance, I can proudly say that I have fulfilled my great dream. But every story, however beautiful it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go; names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player. Cameroon remains eternal, and so does my love for the national team and for our people, who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was.”
The Internationzale shoot-stopper, on his retirement, Onana added: “My feeling will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat, and wherever I go, I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameroon as high as possible. I will continue to support you as a fan, just as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do at every match. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team.”
