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Andre Onana retires from international football after being sent home from Cameroon’s World Cup camp following a shouting match with manager Rigobert Song… as the Inter Milan goalkeeper insists his country “is above any person or player”.
- Andre Onana has confirmed his retirement from international duty for Cameroon
- The Inter Milan goalkeeper was sent home from the Cameroon World Cup camp
- After a dispute with coach Rigobert Song, Onana was forced to leave Qatar
- He has now made the decision to retire from international football entirely.
Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international soccer after being dropped from Cameroon’s World Cup squad last month.
Onana, 26, was sent home from the tournament in Qatar after a fiery fight with manager Rigobert Song, who reportedly disagreed with his goalkeeping style.
According to MarkSong criticized the Inter Milan goalkeeper during training for taking too many risks with his feet, which led to a shouting match between the two. Leaked footage later showed the head coach explaining what was said during the dispute.
Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international football for Cameroon
Onana was sent home from the Cameroon World Cup camp after a fight with boss Rigobert Song
The former Liverpool and West Ham man claimed his goalkeeper broke down in tears after approaching him to discuss his performances and that he avoided speaking to him.
Onana was subsequently dropped from the Cameroon squad and forced to leave Qatar earlier than planned, before his country suffered elimination in the group stage.
He has now made the decision to leave international duty altogether, confirming his retirement from Cameroon in a lengthy social media post.
He wrote: ‘It all started in Ngol Nkok, a small town where, from a very young age, my family transmitted to me the values that identify the Cameroonian people. I understood that love for this country is eternal and that commitment is not negotiable.
Leaked footage showed Song claiming that Onana cried and refused to speak to him before sending him home from his World Cup camp in Qatar earlier this month.
Onana made 34 caps for Cameroon in six years, helping them finish third in AFCON last year.
‘I remember how we used to watch games as a family. Only Cameroonians can understand what it means to us to see the Indomitable Lions play. It was then that I began to dream of one day wearing the jersey of the national team.
‘And now, after endless hours of training, endless traveling 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 team has come to an end.
The players come and go, the names are fleeting, but Cameroon is before any person or player. Cameroon continues to be eternal and also my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment.
Song’s men were ultimately knocked out of this year’s World Cup in the group stage.
‘My feeling will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat and wherever I go I will always fight to raise the Cameron flag [sic] as high as possible.
I will continue to support as a fan, as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do in every game. I can only thank everyone who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team.
Onana earned 34 caps during his six-year career in Cameroon, helping them secure a third-place finish at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.