pillars of Inter Milan’s strong squad – from exclusion in the Cup to the mission to stop Haaland and City!

This Saturday, the 10th, the goalkeeper Andre Onana takes the field to try to live one of the most important moments of his career. At the age of 27, the Cameroonian is the main hope of Inter Milan in the Champions League final. However, the mission is not easy at all, since haaland and the mighty of manchester city will be on the other side.

In the current Champions League season, Onana has been one of the most fundamental names for the Italian team. Always known for having a strong defensive system, Inter Milan know that City’s offensive power can very well be held back by the goalkeeper. In the campaign, the club took just ten goals in 12 games played.

But Onana’s story isn’t just about the campaign with Inter Milan. In the last year, the goalkeeper has experienced enormous drama in his career. During the World Cup dispute, the player did not like a charge, discussed it with the coach Rigobert Song and ended up being removed from the delegation of Cameroon due to the act of indiscipline.

I want to express my affection for my country and the national team. Yesterday, I was not allowed to be on the pitch to help Cameroon, as I always do, achieve the team’s goals. I have always behaved in a way that leads the team to success in a positive way.“, said Onana.

In addition to the controversy at the World Cup, Onana has a history of overcoming both on and off the pitch. Formed in the basic categories of barcelonahe arrived at ajax in 2014 and made 214 appearances for the first team, 85 without conceding goals. His passage through the Dutch team was marked by a severe punishment and doping case.

In an anti-doping test carried out in October 2020, a furosemide substance was identified in his urine. On February 5 of the following year, the UEFA punishment for the goalkeeper came out: a one-year suspension, which was reduced to nine months after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“In one week in February 2021, I lost everything. I was in Cameroon with the national team and I got a call from the Ajax team doctor. When he told me I had tested positive for furosemide, my reaction was, ‘What? This is a joke?’ I said to him, ‘Doctor, you sure made a mistake. I know what these tests are like. I’ve done a lot of them and there’s never been a problem,’” wrote Onana in a letter to “The Players Tribune”.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t drink. I do not smoke. And I never touched drugs. No way. I had never heard of furosemide. The only pills I put in my body were the ones the club or national team doctors prescribed.” added.

After eight seasons in Dutch football and without a renewed bond, Onana was signed free of charge by Inter Milan in July 2022, with a contract valid until 2026. The deal had already been agreed since October last year. Now 27 years old, André Onana is considered one of the most promising goalkeepers in world football.

With all the history of overcoming, André Onana reaches the Champions League final with the tough mission of stopping Manchester City’s attack. Despite having Haaland and company ahead of him, the goalkeeper knows he will need the help of his teammates, who arrive confident to try to win another title in the club’s history.