Cameroon star Andre Onana has broken his silence on his forced exit from his country's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
The shot-stopper was initially believed to be dropped from the squad for the match against Serbia only following a disagreement with manager Rigobert Song, who wanted his goalkeeper to play in a more traditional style but the Inter Milan star was unwilling to change his sweeper-keeper style of play.
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It was said that this resulted in the 25-year-old asking to not play in his nation's second Group G match, leaving the Cameroonian Football Federation in a position where they were forced to take action.
The BBC reported later that Onana had departed the team hotel and went to an airport on Tuesday, with Paris as his next destination, before planning to travel back to his home nation.
Cameroon responded by releasing an official statement, seemingly aiming a subtle dig at Onana in insisting that "cohesion, discipline, peaceful atmosphere" in the squad is important.
The footballer has now responded via social media, revealing that he was, in fact, not allowed to compete further, contrary to reports.
"I want to express my affection for my country and the national team," Onana wrote, per the Daily Metro.
"[Tuesday] I was not allowed to be on the ground to help Cameroon, as I always do, to achieve the team's goals.
"I always behaved in a way to lead the team to success in a good manner.
"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.
"I extend all my strength to my team-mates because we demonstrated that we are capable of going very far in this competition.
"The values that I promote as a person and as a player are the ones that identify me, and that my family has given me since my childhood.
"Representing Cameroon has always been a privilege. The nation first and forever. Thank you!"
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Cameroon boss Song also recently had his say on the drama surrounding the goalkeeper.
"There are 26 players in this team working for this competition together and we want to show that spirit of discipline and respect," he said, per the Daily Metro.
"We are here to prove it. He is a great goalkeeper, but we focus on the team.
"You have to adapt to the discipline of the team.
"If you can't do it, if you can't adapt to what we ask of this team, I think it's necessary to step aside and take responsibility.
"The team is more important than the individuals. I accept responsibility for the decision."
Still in with a chance of qualifying for the round of 16, Cameroon's final Group G match is against Brazil on Friday, where a win is imperative.
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