Samuel Eto’o has firmly denied claims regarding the early training fees of André Onana at Fundesport, the Cameroonian football academy he founded.
Speaking on local television, the Cameroonian Football Federation president rejected accusations suggesting that Onana or his family had paid for his early development.
“Completely false! It’s a pure lie,” Eto’o stated. He explained that Onana and his family lacked the means to pay for training or even basic necessities when they arrived at Fundesport.
Eto’o emphasized that he never expected any form of reward for his support.
“I wanted to create a chain of men to serve our country, and it turns out that one of the best in the world comes from this foundation: André Onana,” Eto’o added, highlighting the goalkeeper’s success as evidence of Fundesport’s mission.
The former Inter Milan and FC Barcelona striker’s remarks come amid speculation over his relationship with Onana, currently on loan from Manchester United in Turkey.
Journalists asked about the financial arrangements during Onana’s early years, a topic that has circulated in Cameroonian media and on social platforms.
Eto’o stressed that Fundesport has always prioritized nurturing talent over financial gain, aiming to provide young Cameroonian players with opportunities to develop professionally.
He expressed pride in seeing Onana emerge as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, reinforcing the academy’s importance in Cameroonian football development.
The football legend also sought to clarify misconceptions, emphasizing that Onana’s achievements reflect the academy’s work and the broader objective of building a generation of players capable of representing Cameroon on the global stage.
Eto’o’s strong rebuttal marks an attempt to close a chapter of controversy and reaffirm his commitment to supporting young African talent through his foundation and the national football structure.
