Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Cameroon, Football World Cup, Inter Milan
Jack Kenmare
Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has retired from international football after he was sent home from this winter's World Cup.
The 26-year-old, who started Cameroon’s World Cup opener against Switzerland, was dropped from their second game against Serbia after having a disagreement with manager Rigobert Song over tactics.
It is believed that Onana ‘refused’ to alter his playing style for Song, which led to him being replaced by Devis Epassy.
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Onana eventually flew home from the tournament after playing just one game for his country, while Cameroon were knocked out at the group stages after picking up four points from three games in Group G.
Now, just weeks after Cameroon were knocked out of the tournament, Inter Milan shotstopper Onana has decided to retire from international duty.
Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, he 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.
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“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.
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“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.”
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In the aftermath of Cameroon's second game against Serbia, manager Rigobert Song confirmed Onana was dropped from their starting line-up because of disciplinary reasons.
“I'm responsible and if any decisions have to be taken, I’m fully prepared to do that,” he said.
“What I’m interested in are the players who I do have at my disposal. And in just a few days' time, we have a very big match.
“The issue is that Andre has now been left out for disciplinary reasons. In a group, you need to expect the rules [to] apply to everybody. And I prefer to ensure that the teams takes precedent over individuals.
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“I think [I] needed to make that decision and it was something that had to happen.
“Everyone who did get picked was capable and those who didn’t want to be part of that, then that can be judged.”
Onana made 34 appearances for his country during a six-year period.
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