By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has been honored with the prestigious FIFPRO Player Impact Award for his remarkable humanitarian work through the Andre Onana Foundation. The Cameroonian international was recognized for his foundation’s life-changing medical care initiatives that have benefited underprivileged communities across Cameroon and in Africa.
Over the past three years, the foundation, in collaboration with medical professionals, has facilitated over 1,200 surgical operations, many of which have been for children. The work, which began with a focus on aiding blind children in Cameroon, has expanded into a broader mission, bringing surgeons and medical teams—primarily from Spain—to Africa to provide critical care.
The FIFPRO Impact Award is part of the global players’ union’s Annual Merit Awards, recognising footballers for their contributions beyond the pitch. Along with the award, FIFPRO has donated $10,000 to support the Andre Onana Foundation’s efforts.
A role model on and off the field
Onana’s dedication to community service exemplifies his belief in paying forward the kindness and support he received throughout his career.
“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. “When I was down, they gave me a hand to stand up. Because of the people in the past who supported me, I feel I have a responsibility to give back and help others.”
“When I started the André 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,” Andre Onana added.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper who recently guided his side to AFCON 2025 in Morocco has been in fine form for Manchester United this season despite their poor start as he has kept 5 clean sheets in the Premier League, the highest in the competition so far.
Onana joins a distinguished list of FIFPRO Impact Award winners, including his United teammate Marcus Rashford, who was honoured in 2020 for his campaign to provide free school meals for disadvantaged children in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s FIFPRO Annual Merit Awards also recognized Finland’s Linda Sallstrom with the Player Activism Award for her advocacy on human rights issues, and South Korea’s Ga-Ae Kang with the Player Voice Award for her efforts to improve working conditions for female footballers in Korea.
