Cameroon and Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana has received the FIFPRO Impact Award in recognition of his remarkable humanitarian contributions through his foundation.
The Andre Onana Foundation focuses on providing medical care to underserved communities in Cameroon and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past three years, the foundation has facilitated more than 1,200 surgical operations, partnering with medical professionals, including doctors and surgeons from Spain, to deliver life-changing procedures, particularly for children.
As part of FIFPRO’s Annual Merit Awards, which honor players making meaningful contributions to society, the global soccer players’ union will donate $10,000 to Onana’s foundation.
“When I passed through Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Milan on my way to Manchester United, I had people who helped me on that journey,” Onana said on FIFPRO’s website. “When I was down, they gave me a hand so I could stand up. Because of the people who supported me in the past, I feel a responsibility to give back and help others.”
Initially, Onana’s foundation aimed to assist blind children in Cameroon, but it has since expanded to address broader medical needs, providing critical surgeries and care to those in need.
Onana joins a prestigious list of previous winners, including his Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford, who won the award in 2020 for his campaign to ensure free school meals for disadvantaged children in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s awards also recognized:
- Linda Sällström (Finland): Winner of the Player Activism Award for her advocacy on human rights issues, including equality, racism, and democracy. In March, she courageously addressed fans in Sweden for misogynistic slurs directed at her and her teammates.
- Ga-Ae Kang (South Korea): Honored with the Player Voice Award for her efforts to improve employment conditions for female footballers and elevate the visibility of the Women’s K League through her work with the Korean footballers’ union, KPFA.
Onana’s recognition not only highlights his achievements on the pitch but also underscores his commitment to creating a lasting impact off it.
