Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has made his international football retirement official.
Onan was dropped from the Cameroon squad for their second game of the World Cup against Serbia following his disagreement with manager Rigobert Song over the team’s tactics.
The 26-year-old eventually flew back home from the competition in Qatar without participating further as Cameroon was eliminated at the group stage. His only appearance was in the team’s opening-day loss to Switzerland.
Announcing his retirement, 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. 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.
“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 Cameron as high as possible.
“I will continue to support 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.
“The nation first and forever.”
Onana, who currently mounts the goalpost for Inter Milan, made his senior international debut for Cameroon in 2016. During his time with the team, he attained 34 caps and was named Cameroonian Footballer of the Year in 2018.
