Samir Handanovic looks back with mixed feelings on his partnership with fellow goalkeeper Andre Onana at Internazionale. The Slovenian was not impressed with the way Onana arrived in Milan.
Samir Handanovic looks back with mixed feelings on his partnership with fellow goalkeeper Andre Onana at Internazionale. The Slovenian was not impressed with the way Onana arrived in Milan.
Handanovic had been the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper at Inter for ten years until the Nerazzurri brought in Onana as a serious competitor for the veteran in the summer of 2022. Handanovic, who was also the captain of Inter, started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper but eventually lost his place to the twelve years younger Cameroonian.
Onana has since moved to Manchester United, and the Slovenian goalkeeper has hung up his gloves. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he reflects on his impressive career. The Italian sports newspaper asked Handanovic about his collaboration with Onana, who expressed his gratitude to Handanovic upon his departure.
'Those were kind words, but his behavior in the first two months, when he wasn't playing, didn't sit well with me,' said the retired goalkeeper. 'Nevertheless, I was always respectful towards him, and I helped him,' Handanovic said.
After those first few months, Onana was preferred over Handanovic, but it could have turned out differently, he believes. 'No one was talking about my injuries: a wrist injury, a broken finger, and a calf strain. But I always sat on the bench with the team, even when I couldn't play. I would never have gone against the club's or the fans' interests.'
