Most goalkeepers are judged on saves. André Onana is judged as much on his passes. The Cameroonian keeper likes to step out of his box, receive the ball under pressure and play it forward, almost like a midfielder. At his best, the approach has carried teams to finals. When it goes wrong, the mistakes are visible to everyone.
Early life
Onana was born in 1996 in Nkol Ngok, Cameroon. He joined the Samuel Eto’o Foundation academy as a boy, where his talent was noticed. He is a cousin of Fabrice Ondoa, another Cameroonian goalkeeper.
Barcelona
At 14, he moved to Spain to join Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. Learning there shaped his style, as Barcelona trains goalkeepers to play with their feet.
Ajax
In 2015, Onana joined Ajax in the Netherlands. He became first-choice goalkeeper and was a key part of the young Ajax team that reached the Champions League semi-final in 2019, beating Real Madrid and Juventus along the way. He won Dutch league titles with the club.
The suspension
In 2021, Onana was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. He said he had mistakenly taken his wife’s medication. The ban was reduced on appeal to nine months.
Inter Milan
He joined Inter Milan in 2022. In his only season there, he helped Inter reach the 2023 Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City. His distribution and saves impressed many observers.
Manchester United
In 2023, Manchester United signed Onana to replace David de Gea, reuniting him with his former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag. His time at United has been mixed, with impressive saves alongside costly errors.
Cameroon
Onana has played for Cameroon’s national team. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he left the squad after a dispute with coach Rigobert Song over playing style, a decision that caused a national controversy. He later briefly retired from international football before returning.
The style debate
Supporters say his passing helps teams build attacks and beat pressing. Critics argue that taking risks near goal leads to avoidable mistakes. The debate reflects wider changes in how goalkeepers are expected to play.
Cameroon’s goalkeeping tradition
Cameroon has produced famous goalkeepers, including Thomas N’Kono and Joseph-Antoine Bell. Onana’s style is very different from theirs, reflecting a modern game.
Onana’s career has been built on the idea that a goalkeeper can start attacks as well as stop them. Each match is a new test of whether that idea is worth the risk.
