Andre Onana has hit back at critics after missing Cameroon's opening match of the African Cup of Nations after choosing to play for Manchester United.
Onana had undertaken a 5,000-mile journey in a bid to join up with Cameroon's squad opening match of the tournament against Guinea.
The goalkeeper won his race against time after playing in Man United's 2-2 draw against Tottenham less than 24 hours earlier, but was left out of the Indomitable Lions squad.
The 27-year-old has spoken out over criticism he faced for delaying his arrival at the tournament to play for Man United.
Onana likened being asked to choose between playing for Man United and Cameroon to picking between his parents.
'I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition,' Onana told Canal Plus.
'Let me continue to be criticised, I am used to it.
'I do what is good for my country. It's like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first; that's why I'm here.
'We are together. We are here to win.'
Footage pre-match had shown Onana engaged in a discussion with former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf, with reports claiming the latter was forced to intervene to calm the goalkeeper down after being left out of the squad entirely.
'If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, then why did I come here on a private jet?,' Onana reportedly shouted as tempers boiled over.
Onana had endured a nightmare journey after leaving for Liverpool John Lennon Airport to catch a late evening flight to Ivory Coast on Sunday, after Man United's draw with Tottenham.
Foggy conditions meant he was unable to land in Yamoussoukro – where Cameroon were kicking off their Group C campaign on Monday – and had to divert to Abidjan.
The 27-year-old was then driven the final 150 miles of his 5,000-mile journey to the Stade Charles Konan Banny, arriving three hours before the 5pm kick-off.
Onana already knew that Fabrice Ondoa would be starting in goal against Guinea, but Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu were named as the two substitute goalkeepers on the Cameroon bench for the 1-1 draw.
Onana has had a fraught relationship with Cameroon boss Rigobert Song and football federation president Samuel Eto'o.
The former Ajax goalkeeper was sent home from their World Cup camp in Qatar 14 months ago after an alleged row with Song over his goalkeeping style.
Onana announced his international retirement following his expulsion, before reversing the decision last year, enabling him to play at AFCON.
Song played down the significance of Onana being left out of the squad for the match.
'It's logical, he arrived at 4 o'clock in the morning. How do you want him to play?' Song said, adding 'He's part of the group.'
Five-time winners Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in their opening match of the tournament.
Onana will expect to start Cameroon's crunch group stage match against holders Senegal on Friday.