Visiting Amadou Onana, face of the new generation of demons: “My progress? It’s been hard” | Red Devils

Welcome to my room for the long haul.

This is how Amadou Onana welcomes us to his garage, which he himself has transformed into an impromptu fitness room.

“This is the most important room in the house,” Onana says. “I like being here privately because no one can see me in this room. I came here to make a difference.”

There are free weights everywhere on the floor, part of the floor is covered with a rug – Onana is depicted on it as the red devil – and in the middle of the room is a music box. who makes the steel structures of his fitness equipment vibrate to carefully selected R&B beats.

“Your body doesn’t feel pain, but sometimes you do. Be the master of your mind,” our compatriot mutters, meanwhile to the beat of the music.

The Everton midfielder has just completed field training, but with his music he’s preparing for an extra one-on-one training session in his garage space.

He does that every day. Individually. With a schedule adjusted to his needs for the week.

That Onana with its superimposed morphology is real Gym rat Turns out, it wasn’t surprising. But it’s his work ethic and brilliant drive – for which he’s also been praised in the field – that are brought to life here.

“Come on, one more, one more, damn it, one more…,” he pushes himself to the limit during a set Single arm cable rows (A fitness exercise that should strengthen his back and shoulder muscles.)

He lives up to the words etched on the punching bag slung behind him: “Fight your limits.”

“I couldn’t put my daily goal into better words myself,” Onana says of the consciously chosen caption (see below).

“People keep saying ‘the sky is the limit’, but I desire higher goals in my life and career. The goals, the assists, the titles, the wins… I want the most of everything. without putting an end to it.”

“And it begins here: in this room.”

and whether his work ethic and high ambitions paid off.

In less than a year, he was featured as Everton’s taster. And also with the Red Devils his name sounds more and more unforgivable.

It is currently very difficult for Onana, but the midfielder himself has remained relatively calm in the light of his recent successes. “Am I surprised at where I am now? No, not really.”

“Maybe it’s all a bit fast for the outside world, but for me it’s been a long, hard track.”

After all, until a few years ago, a career seemed like a pipe dream to Onana. Before our compatriot was chosen by Hoffenheim – through a self-made montage by his sister – he was not rated as one of the best talents in the Belgian youth series.

on the contrary. When he derailed at both Anderlecht and Zulte Waregem, it seemed like the end of the story for footballer Onana.

“For me, that period is still a source of motivation,” he says of his childhood years. “Tough moments shape you as a person and they shape your character.” “As a result, you no longer lower your head at the first setback.”

evidence of its flexibility It became apparent several times this season. As Everton drifted into the relegation spot, Onana stood up. He was also a rock in the Devils’ disappointing World Cup run.

“I’m used to proving myself and fighting doubts,” explains the stately midfielder.

navel? “Actually, I never doubt myself, but I question myself all the time. There is an important nuance. I always evaluate: what have I done well and what have I done less well today. Not only on the field, also in my private life “.

One of those moments of reflection came during the World Cup with the Red Devils.

During the famous group discussion, Onana – who had his name only 4 times – did not hesitate to share his reasoning with the group.

“I opened my mouth there, yeah. And I found the right words to share my interests with the group.”

Now that many experienced aliens have withdrawn or are no longer summoned, demons can make good use of Onana’s undeniable leadership qualities in a renewed core.

The times he was on the court with the Devils, not only did he provide a burst of energy, but the youngster’s frequent serve was also noted.

“It may seem strange to the outside world when a young player joins the national team right away shipments distributed, but the group has always accepted my intentions wholeheartedly.”

There is no motivation for the characterization, just the nature of the beast. “So I will never be afraid to take my responsibility and speak out. This has always been my character and always will be.”

Domenico Tedesco also seems to appreciate Onana’s qualities. The national coach informed the midfielder of his selection by phone last week. “He said he was counting on me and that I was an important player for the future in his eyes.”

“It was nice to hear, but I don’t see myself as a supportive pawn yet,” the humble and stoic Onana concluded the interview.

However, everything points to the fact that he wouldn’t have to spend more time in his “room on the long haul” before of course fitting into that role for himself.