Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international football after falling out with Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song at the World Cup.
The 26-year-old, who represented his country more than 30 times, revealed on Friday that he won’t be returning to play for Indomitable Lions in his playing career.
Onana started for Cameroon in their group opening game in Qatar where they lost 1-0 to Switzerland before the Central African nation’s football governing body announced his suspension from the group for disciplinary reasons.
“Every story, however beautiful it may be, always has its end. And my story with the Cameroon national team has reached this point. Players come and go, but Cameroon always comes before any person or player,” Onana said in a statement.
“Cameroon will always remain the same as my love for the national team shirt and for our people who have always supported us regardless of the difficulties.
“My feelings have not changed. My Cameroonian heart will keep beating, and wherever it goes, it will fight to always raise the flag of Cameroon as high as possible.
“I will continue to support Cameroon as a fan, just like 27 million Cameroonians do at every game. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could contribute to the team.”
Onana made his Indomitable Lions debut in 2016 during an international friendly match against Gabon.
Since 2016, Onana has become his country’s first-choice keeper and played a pivotal role in helping Cameroon qualify for the past three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Cameroon failed to progress to the knockout rounds of 2022 World Cup but left a mark after beating Brazil 1-0 in their third group match.
