Manchester United’s Cameroonian hero Onana awarded special FIFPro prize

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been honoured with the prestigious FIFPRO Player Impact Award for his remarkable humanitarian efforts in Cameroon and across Africa.

Through his foundation, the 28-year-old goalkeeper has significantly improved access to healthcare for underprivileged communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, earning global recognition for his philanthropy.

Onana’s “Andre Onana” foundation has been at the forefront of providing free healthcare and complex surgeries to underserved populations.

Over the past three years, medical professionals affiliated with the foundation have successfully performed more than 1,200 surgeries, addressing critical health challenges in the region.

Speaking after receiving the award, Onana said, “When I started the Andre Onana Foundation, the idea was to help blind children in Cameroon.

“We received a lot of support, and it’s since grown to become an NGO that provides free medical care and surgeries to children and adults from underprivileged communities.”

The Cameroonian star highlighted the inspiration behind his efforts, attributing his desire to give back to the support he received throughout his journey from Barcelona and Amsterdam to Manchester United.

"When I was down, they gave me a hand so that I could stand up. I've never forgotten the help I received. Because of the people in the past who supported me, I feel I have a responsibility to give back and help others,” he said.

Onana’s recent award marks him as the second Manchester United player to receive the FIFPRO Player Impact Award, following Marcus Rashford’s recognition in 2020 for his campaign to provide free school meals to disadvantaged children in the UK.

On the field, Onana has remained vital to Manchester United, playing in all 12 of the Red Devils’ Premier League games and keeping a competition-high five clean sheets in the process.