From despair to dreams

Since going home from a World Cup eight months ago, Onana has played the CL final for Inter and now made a big move to Manchester United

- Dhiman Sarkar

KOLKATA: "We are in a difficult tournament and the team is always above an individual." Rigobert Song's baritone sliced through the cold air in the temperature-controlled press room inside Al Janoub Stadium. Cameroon had rallied from 1-3 down to take a point off Serbia in a thrilling 3-3 draw and the dreadlocked coach was determined to put a lid on the Andre Onana situation. "Andre wanted to step out and we accepted that."

There was more on his No. 1 goalkeeper who had left the World Cup after a row with his coach over tactics. "There are times when strong action needs to be taken," said Song.

Before the year was out, Onana announced his international retirement. He was 26 then. In a career that had seen him serve a drugs ban and survive a car crash, this seemed another low, another case of talent spurning opportunity. But less than six months later, Onana, now 27, was playing in the Champions League final.